Superior Court of the District of Columbia

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The Superior Court of the District of Columbia, commonly referred to as DC Superior Court, is the trial court for the District of Columbia, in the United States. It hears cases involving criminal, civil law, family court, landlord, tenant, probate, tax, and driving violations. All appeals of Superior Court decisions go to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals though magistrate judge opinions are first appealed to a Superior Court Associate Judge.

History

19th century

File:H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse main entrance.jpg
The court's main entrance on Indiana Avenue

The first judicial systems in the new District of Columbia were established by the United States Congress in 1801.[1] The Circuit Court of the District of Columbia (not to be confused with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which it later evolved into) was both a trial court of general jurisdiction and an appellate court, and it heard cases under both local and federal law. Congress also established justices of the peace and an orphans' court, which were combined in 1870 into a new local court, called the Police Court, which had jurisdiction over misdemeanors (concurrently with the federal courts) as well as equity powers.[1][2]

20th century

In 1909, Congress converted the Police Court into the Municipal Court, which became a court of record with jury trials in 1921.[1] In 1963, Congress again converted the Municipal Court into the Court of General Sessions. Its jurisdiction was broader, although the federal courts retained concurrent jurisdiction in criminal cases. Under the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970, the Court of General Sessions was combined with the Juvenile Court, established in 1906, and D.C. Tax Court, established as the local Board of Tax Appeals in 1937, to form the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a trial court of general and mostly exclusive jurisdiction for D.C.[1]

21st century

As of the 21st century, the court consists of a chief judge and 61 associate judges. The court is assisted by the service of 24 magistrate judges and retired judges who have been recommended and approved as senior judges. When a vacancy occurs on the court, the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission invites applications. It sends three candidates' names to the President of the United States, who sends one nomination to the U.S. Senate for advice and consent. A judge who is confirmed by the Senate serves for a 15-year term, which is renewable. The Superior Court and the D.C. Court of Appeals, known collectively as the D.C. Courts, comprise the judicial branch of the D.C. local government.[3]

In criminal cases, the government is represented by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia or the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, depending on the nature and severity of the charges.

Organizational units

  • Civil Division – Civil actions and actions in equity; handles temporary restraining orders other than those involving domestic violence.
    • Civil Actions Branch – Amount in controversy above $10,000 or cases requesting equitable relief such as declarative judgments, injunctive relief, writs of attachment
    • Landlord and Tenant Branch – processes cases filed for possession of real property or violations of lease agreements. The Landlord-Tenant Resource Center can assist those who do not have an attorney. It is located in Room 115 of Court Building B (510 Fourth Street, NW) and is open weekdays, from 9:15 to noon.
    • Small Claims and Conciliation Branch – Amount in controversy $10,000 and below. There is a Small Claims Resource Center to assist those without an attorney. It is located in Court Building B, Room 102, and is open from 9:15 to noon on Thursdays.
    • Housing Conditions Calendar handles cases in which landlords are alleged to have not kept their rental property compliant with the D.C. Housing Code.
  • Criminal Division – This division handles cases including misdemeanor, felony, and serious traffic offenses. The division also has Community Courts, which take a problem-solving approach to misdemeanor crimes, a drug court, and a mental health court.
  • Family Court Operations Division – Family court
    • Family Court Central Intake Center (CIC) – all cases are filed here.
    • Domestic Relations Branch – divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, habeas corpus, and adoption
    • Juvenile and Neglect Branch – juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect.
    • Paternity and Child Support Branch – establishment of paternity, child support, and wage withholding
    • Marriage Bureau – marriage licenses/records; applications to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia by authorized ministers and others
    • Mental Health and Habilitation Branch – "hospitalization and continued treatment of persons adjudicated as mentally retarded or in need of mental health services"
    • Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect Branch is responsible for determining party eligibility for court-appointed counsel in child abuse and neglect proceedings and processes the appointment of attorneys for parties in these cases.
    • Family Court Self Help Center – "provides legal information and assistance to self-represented parties in Family Court Cases."
    • Family Treatment Court –"court-supervised, voluntary, comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment program for mothers/female caretakers whose children are the subject of a child neglect case."
  • Domestic Violence Division – Domestic violence – Handles cases of violence by a family member or romantic partner, a person who shares living quarters, with whom one has a child in common, or between a former and current romantic partner. There are two intake centers: 1) the fourth floor of the Moultrie Courthouse, 2) the Medical Center at 1328 Southern Avenue, Suite 311. At either location, those seeking a protection order can meet with police/prosecutor, advocate, file a petition for a stay-away order and/or custody, seek the assistance of the Crime Victims Compensation Program, and talk with an advocate to develop a safety plan.
  • Probate Division/Office of the Register of Wills – handles matters relating to estates of those who have died, guardianships and conservatorships for incapacitated adults, and other such matters.
    • Probate Resource Center – those without an attorney can consult volunteer attorneys about probate matters at the Probate Resource Center in Room 316 of Court Building A (515 Fifth Street, NW) 8:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday.
  • Tax Division – 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 according to the provisions of the District of Columbia Code
  • Family Court Social Services Division – This division supervises juveniles who are awaiting trial on juvenile charges or who are on probation after pleading or being found involved in a crime.
  • Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division – Mediation and alternative dispute resolution services for those with court cases, as well as a Community Information Referral Program for disputes that have not yet resulted in a lawsuit being filed.
  • Special Operations Division
    • Jurors Office
    • Child Care Center
    • Judge-in-Chambers
    • Office of Court Interpreting Services

Active judges

Template:As of:

Title Judge Born First term began Current term ends Began senior status First appointed by
Chief Judge Template:Sortname 1960 Template:Dts 2040 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1957 Template:Dts 2028 — Clinton
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1960 Template:Dts 2031 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1961 Template:Dts 2031 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1959 Template:Dts 2031 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1960 Template:Dts 2032 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1953 Template:Dts 2033 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1957 Template:Dts 2033 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1965 Template:Dts 2035 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1970 Template:Dts 2035 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1955 Template:Dts 2038 — G.W. Bush
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1966 Template:Dts 2040 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1968 Template:Dts 2040 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1970 Template:Dts 2025 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1967 Template:Dts 2026 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1972 Template:Dts 2026 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1958 Template:Dts 2027 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1972 Template:Dts 2027 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1970 Template:Dts 2027 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1963 Template:Dts 2028 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1960 Template:Dts 2028 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1959 Template:Dts 2031 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1961 Template:Dts 2031 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1965 Template:Dts 2031 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1970 Template:Dts 2031 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1974 Template:Dts 2031 — Obama
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1962 Template:Dts 2033 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1976 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1970 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1973 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1979 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1966 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1964 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1979 Template:Dts 2034 — Trump
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1968 Template:Dts 2037 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1969 Template:Dts 2037 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1974 Template:Dts 2037 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1978 Template:Dts 2037 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1965 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1972 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1974 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1974 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1977 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1981 Template:Dts 2038 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1974 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1973 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1980 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1972 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1979 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge Template:Sortname 1978 Template:Dts 2039 — Biden
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Associate Judge seat vacant — — — — —
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1944[4] 1977 — Template:Dts Carter
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1941[5] Template:Dts — 2004 Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1947[6] 1984 — Template:Dts Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1944[6] 1984 — 1999 Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1946[7] 1985 — Template:Dts Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1950[8] 1986 — Template:Dts Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1946 1986 — Template:Dts Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1949[9] 1988 — Template:Dts Reagan
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1953[10] 1990 — Template:Dts G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1945[10] 1990 — 2002 G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1938[10] 1990 — Template:Dts G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1956 Template:Dts — Template:Dts G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1946[10] Template:Dts — Template:Dts G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1958 1992 — Template:Dts G.H.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1950[11] Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1954 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1954[12] Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1949 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1947 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1953 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1953 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1960 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1954[13] Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1961 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1954[14] Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1950 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Clinton
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1948[15] 2002 — Template:Dts G.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1951[16] 2005 — Template:Dts G.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1959 Template:Dts — Template:Dts G.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1952 Template:Dts — Template:Dts G.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1959 Template:Dts — Template:Dts G.W. Bush
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1963 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Obama
Senior Judge Template:Sortname 1957 Template:Dts — Template:Dts Obama

Vacancies and pending nominations

Seat Seat last held by Vacancy reason Date of vacancy Nominee Date of nomination
— Carol Dalton Retirement January 30, 2020[17] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Wendell P. Gardner March 27, 2020[17] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Robert E. Morin Senior status September 30, 2020[18] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— William W. Nooter Retirement February 25, 2023[19] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Peter A. Krauthamer Senior status June 30, 2023[20] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Hiram E. Puig-Lugo July 28, 2023[20] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Jennifer M. Anderson March 22, 2024[21] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Rupa Ranga Puttagunta Resignation April 12, 2024[22] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Anita Josey-Herring Senior status October 1, 2024[23] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Template:Sortname January 11, 2025[24] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Alfred S. Irving January 24, 2025[25] Edward A. O'Connell May 12, 2025
— Jonathan Pittman Retirement February 7, 2025[26] Template:Sort Template:Sort
— Heidi Pasichow June 27, 2025[27] Template:Sort Template:Sort

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Category commons

Template:District of Columbia Template:D.C. Superior Court judges Template:Authority control

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