DC Courts' Pandemic Operations Information

D.C. Court of Appeals' April 28, 2022 Order

Chief Judge's Order re. Operations Amended 4/8/2022 | Orden (Enmendada 04/08/22) | ትዕዛዝ (በ04/08/22 የተሻሻለው)

Clerk of Court's Notice of Clerk's Office Operations

May 27, 2021 D.C. Superior Court Criminal Division Notice of Expansion of Detained Jury Trials

See information and resources available for self-represented litigants: LawHelp.org/DC.

Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network - Free Legal Help (English & Spanish)

LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | Tigrinya

Please check each division tab for information on current orders and operations.

You can file a request for a fee waiver here or access the fee waiver form here. Parties may file, and the court will rule on, applications for waivers of filing fees and other costs.

The DC Superior Court resumed jury trials in April 2021. If you receive a summons, you must complete the juror questionnaire within five days of receipt. Jurors who have qualified for service should respond to the Court’s COVID-19 Juror Questionnaire in advance of their jury service date. You can also request consideration of a postponement of jury service. The juror questionnaire may be completed on eJuror or sent to the Jurors Office by eFax at 2028790012 [at] fax2mail.com, by email at jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov, or by mail in the postage-paid summons packet.

For more detailed information, please visit the Jurors webpage and/or contact the Jurors Office in any of the following ways:

• Email: jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov
   
• Telephone: 202-879-9604 (The Jurors Office is experiencing high call volumes. Please leave a message for a return call within one business day.)
   
• 

DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 4/28/2022 - For the latest information about DC Court of Appeals operations, please see this April 28, 2022 order, which addresses operations through August 31, 2022.

DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 3/23/2022 - See the Committee on Admissions website for information about the July 2022 bar exam. Applications open May 12, 2022.

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has issued several orders adjusting its operations to address concerns regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19). All cases scheduled for oral argument will be heard by a panel of judges via videoconference.

• See the Court's December 23, 2021 order for the latest on filing procedures and how to eFile (or file by email if you cannot eFile). Email questions to efilehelp [at] dcappeals.gov.
• The public can observe the videoconference oral arguments on the DC Court of Appeals YouTube channel.
• Learn more about in-person operations.

General Information

The public windows in the clerk’s office for the Civil Actions Branch in the Moultrie Courthouse and for the Small Claims and Landlord Tenant Branches in Building B are open from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clerk’s office will use social distancing and capacity limits to protect the health of the public and staff.

Get questions answered by calling the below numbers or by clicking the Live Chat button located on the right side of the webpage.

Here are the phone numbers and links that go directly to Live Chat for each of the branches:

• Civil Actions Branch: (202) 879-1133. Live Chat:
  https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-over-10k
• Landlord and Tenant Branch: (202) 879-4879. Live Chat:
  https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/landlord-tenant
• Small Claims Branch: (202) 879-1120. Live Chat:
  https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-10k-or-less

Detailed information is on the Civil Division’s full webpage.

For information about tolling of deadlines, please click here.

Filing

Attorneys and self-represented individuals can file documents electronically using CaseFileXpress at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.

Find instructional videos on using CaseFileXpress at https://www.fileandservexpress.com/dc/.

People not registered for CaseFileXpress may file documents by mail or by putting them in the drop box in the lobby of the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Avenue, NW) to the left of the Information Counter. The mailing address for filings is:

Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Civil Clerk's Office - Room 5000
500 Indiana Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20001

You must email emergency motions to civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov. People without lawyers can submit applications for waiver of filing fees by emailing them to civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov.

Landlord & Tenant Cases

When an eviction that has been postponed is rescheduled, the landlord is required to send a notice to the tenant at least 21 days before the rescheduled eviction date.

Mortgage Foreclosure Cases -
For the general order regarding residential mortgage foreclosure cases, click here.

Trials

Except for jury trials, the Court will continue to conduct hearings remotely. See the November 21, 2021 order. The Civil Division will continue to conduct remote non-jury trials in multiple courtrooms. Except for jury trials, no parties or attorneys should appear in person unless a judge directs you to do so.

Free Legal Assistance

Tenants and small landlords may contact the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network at (202) 780-2575.

For help with small claims, call the Small Claims Resource Center at (202) 849-3608.

For help with debt collection matters, call the DC Debt Collection Defense Hotline at (202) 851-3387.

Visit the Covid-19 resources pages at www.LawHelp.org/DC for information about legal resources and social services.

All applications for crime victims’ compensation funds will be processed by staff remotely. Email new applications to CVCPapplications [at] DCSC.gov (). Please submit proof of crime documents (police report, petition for civil protection order, sexual assault examination, Family Court abuse/neglect petition) along with the application.

Click here for the CVCP application and procedures.

If you cannot complete an application online, contact the office via telephone at 202-879-4216 or email at CVCPOffice [at] dcsc.gov for help with new and existing claims.

Click here for general information and hours of operation.

Jury trials have resumed. Anyone who wishes to observe a jury trial must come to the trial court room. (Remote viewing is no longer available for criminal jury trials.) Overflow space is available if needed.

• Protective Measures Implemented in the Courthouse for In-Person Proceedings
• Order unsealing granted bond review motions
• November 8, 2021 Amended Felony Standing Order
• October 4, 2021 Amended Misdemeanor Community Court Standing Order
• Criminal Division Courtroom Assignments and WebEx Login, Effective September 7
• July 17, 2020 Amended Standing Order Governing Filing of Emergency Bond Review or Compassionate Release Motions due to Covid

Until further notice, the USAO/OAG Citation Arraignment/Diversion Calendar, Mental Health Court and Drug Court calendars will proceed entirely remotely and all parties must appear by video to the extent possible and, if unable to appear by video, by telephone. Individuals who are unable to appear remotely may report to community based Remote Hearing Sites or to Room 3131 of the courthouse to obtain assistance in logging in remotely for their hearing.

All other non-detained and detained cases will proceed on the assigned Misdemeanor Community Court and Felony Calendars, which will operate both remotely and in-person, in the designated courtroom.  Courtrooms have been configured to accommodate both in-person and remote participation, consistent with the health and safety of defendants, witnesses, victims, counsel, court personnel, jurors and other members of the public.  Parties should refer to the above Standing Orders to determine whether they must appear in-person or may continue to appear remotely for hearings.

Click here for general information and hours of operation.

NOTE: In November 2020, the Domestic Violence Division began hearing any cases set on the Civil Protection Order (CPO) calendars for that date and any dates thereafter remotely.. Parties should not report to the court building in-person but are REQUIRED TO APPEAR BY VIDEO OR PHONE, on time. Please click here for the full notice and instructions on remote hearings. Per the Chief Judge's January 13, 2021 order, ERPO hearings are no longer being rescheduled but are being held (remotely), child support cases that accompany a CPO case will be heard remotely in the DV Division, as will criminal contempt arraignments. Motions to Reinstate and the corresponding CPO trial will be scheduled approximately two weeks after the petition is filed.

If you do not want to or are unable to do the call from home, the court has sites available around the city where you can schedule time to use a court computer to participate in your hearing. For information on how to schedule and the location of these remote sites, please click here.

The Domestic Violence Division Clerk’s Office will be available remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clerk’s office is available by phone at 202-879-0157 or by email at domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov.

Most judges and courtroom staff will continue to work remotely. Parties will appear via telephone or videoconference for hearings held in remote courtrooms.

Notice of Intent to Resume Non-Jury Trials in the Domestic Violence Division - November 2, 2020 Court Order

Domestic Violence Division Standing Order of October 29, 2020 Regarding Discovery of DC Department of Forensic Sciences Corrective Action Reports

Find the August 17, 2020 Domestic Violence Division Court Operations plan here.

On August 17, 2020, the Domestic Violence Division issued Scheduling Orders on when hearings that were previously scheduled through August 14 will be held. The new Scheduling Orders with future dates for hearings set prior to August 17 are available here.

Criminal Cases – Domestic Violence Misdemeanor (DVM) and Criminal Contempt (CCC)

Parties in DVM and CCC cases should continue to file electronically via CaseFileXpress. Detained non-jury trials will resume on December 2, 2020. Chambers will contact the parties to set up a remote scheduling hearing that will determine how to proceed.

Current DV Division operations will remain in place through Friday, May 7.  All hearings for DVM and CCC defendants set for April 1 through May 7 will be continued pursuant to a scheduling order from the Presiding Judge of the DV Division, other than hearings scheduled remotely.  Beginning May 10, all hearings for released defendants will not be continued and instead will go forward remotely on the date and time they are scheduled.

Criminal contempt case arraignments will be heard remotely on Friday mornings. Show cause hearings that are scheduled in a fully or partially remote courtroom will not be continued and will happen as scheduled. All other probation show cause hearings will be continued. Remote hearings for released defendants may be scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, at the request of the parties.

Civil Protection Order (CPO) Cases and Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs)

• Civil filings should be submitted using probono.net/dccourts or emailed to domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov.
• Requests for Temporary Protection Orders will continue to be heard remotely.
• All existing TPO expiration dates shall be extended to the future date consistent with a scheduling order issued by the presiding judge.
• All existing CPO expiration dates shall be extended to June 19 unless otherwise ordered by the court. All existing CPOs that would have expired prior to June 19, 2020, will expire on that date unless a Motion to Extend is filed prior to June 19, 2020.
• CPO hearings that were continued will be heard starting on November 9, 2020. They will be heard on the dates set in the August 17 Scheduling Order.
• If you have a remote hearing, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (202) 879-0157 to give the court your contact information so that you can be reached for your hearing.
• Organizations Providing Free Legal Assistance for Civil Domestic Violence Cases

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs): Requests for Ex Parte and Final ERPOS are available and can be made by emailing the filing to domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov. The petition can be obtained from the DC Courts website here: https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/2019-07/Petition%20for%20Extreme%20Risk%20Protection%20Order%20.pdf

See the November 21, 2021 order for the current status of Family Court operations. Visit the Family Court website for general information about operations.

The only in-person hearings will be fact-finding hearings in Delinquency cases—priority is given to respondents who are securely detained, followed by respondents who have been placed in shelter houses. In-person hearings may be granted for other case types for good cause and with the approval of the Family Court Presiding Judge or Deputy Presiding Judge. Family Court Judges will continue to hear the all other cases remotely.  

The Family Court’s public offices (including Central Intake Center, Domestic Relations, Parentage and Support, Juvenile and Neglect, and the Marriage Bureau) are open for in-person service. The Family Court continues to process documents submitted via eFiling and in person. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using CaseFileXpress.

The Family Court will continue to process documents submitted via eFiling. Emergency matters will be forwarded to the judge for review and all hearings will be conducted remotely. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using Case File Express. Self-Represented litigants needing to file an emergency matter should contact the Self-Help Center at 202-879-0096.

Please call (202) 879-1212 with any questions.

Domestic Relations (custody, divorce, child support) may be initiated online. Click here for information on how to file. Upon notification, the Court will hear cases that the parties represent are uncontested / settled, as well as same-day emergency hearings. Emergency motions to modify custody or seek contempt and discretionary matters are also being held.

The Marriage Bureau is processing applications for marriage licenses in person and remotely and performing weddings by videoconference. Apply for a marriage license here.

The Self-Help Center (SHC) is operating both in-person and remotely.  If you need assistance remotely, please call 202-879-0096.

Mediation is available for parties able to participate remotely (via videoconference or by phone). Call 202-879-3180 or 202-879-9450 for more information.

The Supervised Visitation Center is conducting intake interviews and supervised visits remotely.
 

The moratorium is lifted in the probate division and all deadlines are in full force and effect. You must file any filings that were tolled by January 4, 2021, or submit a request for enlargement of time by that date. The moratorium is not lifted on triannual reviews of guardianships.

Click to see information regarding general filing guidelines and the Probate Division operations.

The Probate Division will continue to process documents submitted through E-filing. Emergency matters, such as petitions for a temporary guardian, will be forwarded to the judge for review and all hearings will be conducted remotely. Judges will also issue rulings for non-emergency matters, if no hearing is required.

Attorneys should file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx. Self-represented litigants may file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.

Self-represented litigants with documents that are non-emergency matters that do not wish to electronically file documents may mail documents to: DC Superior Court Probate Division, 515 5th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Attention: Probate Clerk's Office.

All new non-emergency matters, except for the appointment of guardian or conservator, must be mailed to the DC Superior Court Probate Division at the following address: 515 5th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Attention: Probate Clerk's Office.

Please see the Probate Division's webpage at https://www.dccourts.gov/services/probate-matters for specific instructions on how to file a Petition for an emergency matter. You can contact the Probate Division by calling: 202-879-9460 or 202-879-9461,emailing Probateinquiries [at] dcsc.gov or clicking on Live Chat on the probate page or going to https://www.dccourts.gov/services/probate-matters

Please send Guardianship questions to: GuardianshipAssistanceProgram [at] dcsc.gov

Click here for general information for Tax and Auditor Master.

The Auditor-Master is holding hearings remotely by WebEx. Parties may attend by telephone or computer. Instructions for remote participation will be sent to all parties.

Parties should comply with all orders issued by the Auditor-Master since August 1, 2020.

The Office of the Auditor Master is currently rescheduling all previously scheduled hearings, scheduling new hearings, and setting new dates for documents to be produced.

Please submit documents by email to Auditor.Master [at] dcsc.gov or mail to DC Superior Court, Office of the Auditor Master, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. If you need to submit a sensitive document, you can email it to AMFinancialBox [at] dcsc.gov.

If you have questions, please contact the Office by telephone at 202-626-3280 or email at Auditor.Master [at] dcsc.gov.

Please note: The moratorium is lifted in the Tax Division and tall deadlines are in full effect. You must file any filings that were tolled by January 4, 2021, or submit a request for enlargement of time by that date.

All hearings, including show cause, status, initial scheduling conferences, pre-trial conferences, and trials will be held remotely.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.

Self-Represented litigants can also email their pleadings or an image of their pleadings to TaxDocket [at] dcsc.gov and mail a check or money order for their filing fee to DC Superior Court, Tax Division, 500 Indiana Ave., NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20001.

For questions, please contact the Tax Division at 202-879-1737 or by email at TaxDocket [at] dcsc.gov.

The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division is available remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For inquiries, please contact 202-879-1549. Click here for more general information about the division.

Additional family mediation evening and weekend hours will continue to be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. For specific information about family mediation and community matters, please contact 202-879-3180.

Email documents for family mediation cases and community matters to mediationintake [at] dcsc.gov.

Parties in civil mediation cases should continue to file the Confidential Settlement Statement (CSS) and Mediation Readiness Certificate (MRC) at CivilMRC-CSS [at] dcsc.gov.

If you cannot submit your documents online, you can file your paperwork by fax at 202-879-9456 or by mail to Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, 410 E Street, NW, Suite 2900, Washington, DC 20001.

Click here for information about Appellate Mediation in the Court of Appeals.