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Superior Court of the District of Columbia
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Congress established the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the District of Columbia in 1970. The Court consists of a chief judge and 61 associate judges. The Court is assisted by the service of 24 magistrate judges, as well as retired judges who have been recommended and approved as senior judges. The Superior Court handles all local trial matters, including civil, criminal, family, probate, tax, landlord-tenant, small claims, and traffic cases.
In Superior Court, the government is represented by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia or the D.C. Office of Attorney General depending on the nature and severity of the crime or civil matter.
Organizational units
Civil actions and actions in equity are processed in the Civil Division. This division handles temporary restraining orders, other than those involving domestic violence. The United States federal courts have jurisdiction over some civil matters within the District of Columbia.
Misdemeanor, felony, and serious traffic offenses are heard in the Criminal Division. The Criminal Division also includes Community Courts, which take a problem-solving approach to crime.
Family Court
Family Court Operations Division
This division handles juveniles who are awaiting trial on juvenile charges or who are on probation, after pleading or being found 'involved' in a crime.
This division provides mediation services and alternative dispute resolution.
The Tax Division handles all appeals and petitions for review of assessments made by the District of Columbia, as well as all proceedings brought by the District of Columbia for the imposition of criminal penalties pursuant to the provisions of the D.C. Code.
List of current D.C. Superior Court judges
Chief Judge: Rufus G. King, III
Associate Judges:
Magistrate Judges:
Senior Judges:
References
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