ShareDC Courts' CoronaVirus Advisories
Haga click para Español | ኮቪድ-19 በተመለከተ ወቅታዊ መረጃዎች በአማርኛ ለማግኘት እዚህ ይጫኑ
CURRENT DC COURTS OPERATING STATUS
*Click to see information on public access to remote court hearings.
Persons Entering Court Buildings Must Wear a Cloth Face Covering or Mask During the Pandemic per June 26 court order.
NO ONE SHOULD ENTER THE COURTHOUSE WITH SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea.
DC COURT OF APPEALS
The DC Court of Appeals will begin holding oral arguments via videoconference on May 26. See the Court's May 21 order for the latest on filing procedures, deadline changes, and how to eFile (or file by email if you are not able to eFile). Questions should go to efilehelp [at] dcappeals.gov. The public can observe the videoconference oral arguments on this page or on the DC Courts' YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/DCCourtsChannel)
- The July DC Bar Exam has been cancelled and is now scheduled to be held remotely on October 5 and 6, 2020 (for details, please see the June 10 order and the July 10 order and continue to check the Committee on Admissions webpage for more details). Please note that Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Tennessee will honor DC October online exam scores.
DC SUPERIOR COURT
The Superior Court is currently holding hearings in the following types of cases:
CIVIL - The Civil Division will conduct remote hearings, including evidentiary hearings and bench trials, in any civil case where it is appropriate, including in some limited landlord and tenant matters not involving non-payment of rent, some foreclosure not involving owner occupied residential homes, and small claims proceedings not subject to a statutory stay.
CRIMINAL- adult arraignment; bond reviews; mental health observations & competency hearings; mental health evidentiary hearings, detained preliminary hearings, detained status hearings (set out of C-10 after 3/17 at the request of counsel), and non-evidentiary hearings in other criminal cases; Please see 7/15 Third Criminal Division Standing Order for information on requesting hearings;
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - requests for temporary and civil protection orders, and extreme risk protection orders, as well as domestic violence misdemeanor cases and non-evidentiary matters in release cases. In early July, the Division will resume mediation by attorney negotiators in civil protection order cases and will begin hearing probation show cause matters. NOTE that the Court's 6/18 order provides that existing CPOs expire either on the expiration date in the order or June 19, 2020, whichever is later, unless a Motion to Extend is filed.
FAMILY COURT - adoption, divorce, custody, Family Treatment Court, neglect, mental health, mental habilitation and juvenile. The Marriage Bureau is operating remotely as well.
PROBATE - The Probate Division will be hearing interventions (cases seeking appointment of a 21-day emergency healthcare guardian, 90-day healthcare guardian, and permanent guardian and/or conservator) and other probate matters, including estate cases which the assigned judge determines are appropriate to be heard remotely.
TAX DIVISION - show cause and initial scheduling hearings, as well as pre-trial conferences, will be held remotely.
If you do not see your case type listed above, understand that all non-emergency matters scheduled through August 14 will be rescheduled and new dates set; emergency matters will be heard as scheduled by the court, as outlined below.
All divisions will be open in a remote status for filing of pleadings, motions and new cases. Electronic filing will continue. For detailed information on Clerks' Offices Remote Operations, click here. When allowed by law, upon request, members of the public may have real-time access to remote operations by contacting the Clerk of Court's Office at 879-1400.
Except in limited circumstances in civil cases specified in the May 4 order, all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing orders that would otherwise expire are postponed during the public health emergency, by this order of the Court and the May 14 and June 19 orders extending that further. **All evictions of tenants and foreclosed homeowners are stayed (postponed) during the public health emergency declared by the Mayor.
- The Clerk of Court's Office, and the various divisions' clerks offices are all operating remotely. For information on remote operations, and how to get certified copies, see the Notice of Clerks' Offices Operations, revised June 5.
- The Marriage Bureau is now remotely processing marriage license applications and requests for videoconference weddings. For details, click to see the Notice of Clerks' Offices Operations.
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | Tigrinya
updated 6/10/2020
A Message from DC Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby
ASL Update: DC Courts Operating Status
COVID-19 Amended Citation Calendar 6/24/2020
DC Superior Court Update 6/19
DC Superior Court June 18 Order expanding the number of courtrooms and the types of cases that will be heard through August 14.
የኮሎምቢያ አውራጃ ጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ድንጋጌ (የተሻሻለው 6/19/20)
DC Superior Court Update 6/8
DCSC Clerk of Court's Notice regarding Court Operations and Online Payment.
Notificación sobre las Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría (Junio 2020)
የፀሐፊ ቢሮዎች አሠራር ማስታወቂያ እ.ኤ.አ. ጁን 2020 የተሻሻለ
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/5/2020 - Pursuant to this court May 21, 2020, order, the court is no longer suspending or tolling filing deadlines. Unless the court has specifically ordered otherwise in a particular case, effective May 31, 2020, parties will have 30 days (until June 30, 2020) to submit any filings that were due on or before May 31, 2020. June filing due dates are not extended. Motions requesting extensions of time with respect to filing deadlines for motions, briefs, and other similar filings will be liberally granted consistent with the equities of the case.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 5/22/2020 -- Due to the overwhelming level of interest in the September 2020 DC Bar Examination, the court will not be able to seat applicants who do not meet the priority criteria listed in the court’s May 4 Order. The Court expects to open registration for additional priority applicants and will provide two days’ notice prior to opening the applications. Please check this website for updates.
[SUPERSEDED]DC Superior Court Update - DC Superior Court May 14 Order expanding the number and types of cases that will be heard through June 19.
Ver orden enmendada expandiendo los tipos y número de casos hasta el 19 de junio de 2020.
ትዕዛዝ 5/14/20 ተሻሽሏል
[SUPERSEDED]DC Superior Court Update - 4/27 @ 2pm The DC Superior Court is now accepting requests for videoconference weddings. If you would like to have a judge or court official perform your wedding ceremony, please check the appropriate box on your marriage license application. In addition, the Family Court Division is now accepting new divorce and custody fililngs. Click here for instructions on how to file. Call 202/879-1212 with any questions.
[SUPERSEDED]DC Superior Court Update - 4/17 @ 6pm
The DC Superior Court's Marriage Bureau is now processing marriage license applications remotely.
Click here to read the notice from the Clerk of Court with details on how to apply.
Notificación de las Operaciones de la Oficina de Matrimonios.
የጋብቻ ቢሮ ክንውኖች ማስታወቂያ
[SUPERSEDED]Rescheduling of Criminal Division Hearings Set Prior to May 18th
This second rescheduling order resets all criminal division court dates scheduled between May 1 and May 15th to a future date in July. To see the order itself, click here.
Addendum Calendaring Dates from May 1 - May 15
DC Superior Court Update 4/10 @ 4:00pm Updated Probate Division Court Proceedings and Operations | Spanish
DC Superior Court Update - 4/10 @ 2:30 - Domestic Violence Division Standing Order, Scheduling Order and Legal Service Provider Resource List
DC Court of Appeals Update - 4/10 @ 1pm
The July DC Bar Exam has been cancelled (PDF) ; final decision re: fall bar exam to be announced by May 4.
DC Superior Court Update 4/6
DCSC Clerks Office Notice regarding Marriage Bureau, Landlord Tenant and Consumer Law Resource Centers, and Auditor Master's Office.
Notice of Revised Clerks' Offices Operations
Notificación de las Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría
የሲፒርየር ፍርድ ቤት የክለርክ (ጸሀፊ) ቢሮዎች የርቀት አሰራሮች ኤፕሪል 6፣ 2020 የተሻሻለ
DC Superior Court Update - Clerk’s Offices Remote Operations 3/26/2020
In response to COVID-19 all clerk’s offices for Superior Court are operating in a remote status with no staff on-site. We have employees available to answer questions via telephone, email and Live Chat. Due to the limited resources for processing mail, please call or email a request, document or image of a document to avoid a delay in processing your request. Below is information regarding operations that will be conducted remotely by the Clerk’s Offices. All emergency hearings will be conducted by the judge remotely.
Clerk's Offices Remote Operations Information
Vea en Español: Notificación de las Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría.
የሱፒርየር ፍርድ ቤት የክለርክ (ጸሀፊ) ቢሮዎች የርቀት አሰራሮች (ሪሞት ኦፐሬሽንስ)
DC Superior Court Advisory re: Jurors Office 3/23/2020 - 2pm
The Jurors’ Office is operating remotely until further notice. Jurors are encouraged to visit www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices to complete their juror questionnaire, defer service, or upload requests for excuse. Please do not send mail to the office. Staff may be reached in the following ways:
eMail: jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov
Telephone: 202-879-4604
Live Chat: www.dccourts.gov/jury (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
On average, response time is 24 business hours (or less).
DC Superior Court Advisory - 3/20/2020, 3pm
Due to the current public health emergency, the Office of Court Interpreting Services is operating remotely. If you need language access assistance, please call 202-879-4828 or email interpreters [at] dcsc.gov.
DC Superior Update 3/19, 4:15pm
The Library in the Moultrie Courthouse will be closed until further notice. Please continue to check this page for updates.
DC Superior Court Order Suspending Additional Court Proceedings - 3/18/2020 at 6pm
Pursuant to the authority given to the Chief Judges by the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration this morning, DC Superior Court Chief Judge Morin has further reduced the number of courtrooms that will be operational in the Moultrie Courthouse. The order provides details on the limited operations that will go forward, which include: adult arraignments and presentments (courtroom C-10); juvenile, neglect and abuse initial hearings (courtroom JM-15); emergency matters - one courtroom for criminal, a second for civil and probate; extraditions; and judge in chambers. Show cause hearings will come before the judge hearing criminal emergency matters.
Temporary Protection Order (TPO) requests will go through the Emergency Temporary Protection Order (ETPO) process which will be accessible 24/7 during the time of reduced court operations. If you are in DC and are in immediate danger, please call the Metropolitan Police Department or the DC SAFE Critical Response Team (800) 407-5048 to access the ETPO process and find out you qualify for a TPO
March 17, 3pm
The Child Care Center is closed until further notice. Please check for updates.
Statement of Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby/DC Court of Appeals coronavirus advisory - March 16, 2pm
As Chair of the DC Courts' Joint Committee on Judicial Administration, I want to assure the public that the DC Courts understand the urgency of addressing the Coronavirus emergency. I also want to keep the public informed of the latest steps the DC Courts are taking to reduce risks of the Coronavirus while also ensuring that urgent criminal justice and public safety matters are handled and access to justice is maintained.
As you can see in the advisories posted in the last few days on www.dccourts.gov/coronavirus, the DC Superior Court has significantly reduced its operations, and only those matters that are urgent and crucial to public safety will go forward.
The DC Court of Appeals has just posted an updated and more detailed Coronavirus operations plan. The Court is not closing and is open for all new filings, through our eFiling process and via email for pro se parties who are not registered eFilers. The court will continue to decide motions and issue decisions on already argued and submitted cases during this time. However, all oral arguments scheduled through March 31, 2020, are cancelled. The Court will continue to decide cases on the summary calendar. Filing deadlines are being tolled until March 31, meaning if a filing is due 3/16 to 3/30, it may be filed on 3/31. The Court's eFiling rules that require that two paper copies be provided to the court are suspended. The Committee on Admissions (CoA) and the Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law offices will be closed to the public until 3/31. However, the CoA Office will continue to receive and process applications, and grade the February 2020 bar exam. Appellate mediations will be rescheduled. Please see the order below (it's also available on https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all collectively deal with this unprecedented health crisis.
DC Superior Court coronavirus advisory - March 16, 9am
Citation Arraignments- scheduled between March 17 and April 15, 2020 are continued for eight weeks from the originally scheduled date, as reflected in the chart below:
| ORIGINAL CITATION ARRAIGNMENT DATE | CONTINUED CITATION ARRAIGNMENT DATE |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | May 12, 2020 |
| Wednesday, March 18, 2020 | May 13, 2020 |
| Thursday, March 19, 2020 | May 21, 2020* |
| Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | May 19, 2020 |
| Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | May 20, 2020 |
| Thursday, March 26, 2020 | May 21, 2020 |
| Tuesday, March 31, 2020 | May 26, 2020 |
| Wednesday, April 1, 2020 | May 27, 2020 |
| Thursday, April 2, 2020 | May 28, 2020 |
| Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | June 2, 2020 |
| Wednesday, April 8, 2020 | June 3, 2020 |
| Thursday, April 9, 2020 | June 4, 2020 |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2020 | June 9, 2020 |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2020 | June 10, 2020 |
DC Superior Court Advisory - March 15, 6pm
Individuals with grand jury duty beginning on Monday, March 16, need not report. Those individuals currently serving on a grand jury are excused for a two-week period of time and should report to the US attorney’s office on March 30 absent further instruction from the court.
DC Superior Court Advisory - March 15, 3pm
Statement of Chief Judge Robert Morin:
The DC Superior Court places great priority the safety and well-being of the more than 10,000 people who enter our court buildings each workday. In light of concerns regarding COVID and guidance to avoid non-essential public interactions, the Court will suspend a number of its usual activities for the next several weeks. Here is an overview of the plan, as well as a court order, with more details.
Vea el plan de operaciones del Tribunal Superior en las próximas semanas. Haga click para el resumen.
Please note that the Court will still be open and judges will be available to hear emergency matters, as well as those outlined in the plan as not being postponed.
We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation.
DC Court of Appeals Operating Status Update, March 13, 2020, 6pm:
This is an update on the status of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals’ operations in light of the current public health emergency due to the coronavirus. The Court of Appeals is not closing, but will remain open with some precautionary measures in place. To reduce the spread of the virus, we encourage all counsel and members of the public to increase their use of the court’s online services, such as e-filing and live-streaming oral arguments. On Monday, March 16, 2020, the Court of Appeals will be posting additional details regarding measures the court is taking in light of the coronavirus.
Specifically with respect to e-filing, starting Monday, March 16, 2020, the court will suspend the requirement for the filing of paper copies of electronically filed documents. See Electronic Filing and Service (ESF) Procedure 8. See also DCCA Administrative Order 1-18.
At this time, all oral arguments will go forward as scheduled, but requests for continuances by counsel because of particularized health concerns will be given special consideration. If you would like to observe oral arguments remotely, this weblink contains instructions for accessing live audio and video streams.
We encourage all visitors of the courthouse to take appropriate safety and health precautions and practice personal safety behaviors. If you (a) have been diagnosed with COVID-19, (b) have had known contact with a person with the virus, (c) have been asked to self-quarantine, or (d) are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please do not enter the courthouse to conduct business. Instead, please call the Clerk of the Court or the Public Office for assistance: (202) 879-2700.
For counsel and pro se parties who need to file an emergency pleading in this court, continue to follow the procedures outlined in this court’s rules.
The DC Courts posted a coronavirus advisory, below, which contains updates on the courts’ efforts to respond to this public health emergency. We encourage you to review that advisory, in addition to other public health warnings issued by the District.
Please see the notice below regarding DC Superior Court operating status.
DC Superior Court Corona Virus Advisory, 3/13/2020, 3:30pm
On Monday morning, March 16, the DC Superior Court will post a detailed announcement in light of COVID 19 concerns.
The Court is not closing, but will be changing its operations to postpone all non-urgent matters or to conduct them telephonically. The announcement will provide information regarding trials and urgent matters.
The Court will keep the number of people, including jurors, who need to report to the courthouse to a minimum. Those with jury duty should call in the night before their service to 879-4604 (select Option 5) to find out if they need to report.
The Court will suspend evictions of all tenants and foreclosed homeowners.
Counsel should check the Court’s website for more information on how particular case types will be handled during this time. A detailed announcement on these changes will be posted here, as will changes to the plan as the situation evolves.
03/12 Update
Among the D.C. Courts’ highest priorities are the safety and welfare of members of the public in our facilities, staff from partner agencies, and court employees. We want to assure everyone that the DC Courts are taking precautions to maintain a safe and healthy court environment for all in light of the recently-declared pandemic of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Current events, including confirmed reports in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, have placed renewed emphasis on the Courts’ preparation for emergencies and continuity of operations. The DC Courts’ leadership and our security team are actively monitoring news and information about the spread of COVID-19 and will provide updates as warranted.
To ensure the continuity of court operations, the Courts have:
- Finalized their Pandemic Contingency Plan,
- Begun pandemic working group meetings to identify activities to enhance the Courts’ readiness to respond as the virus become more pervasive in DC and continuity of operations (COOP) plan needs to be put in place,
- Increased the placement of hand sanitizers in public offices at the court buildings to maintain a safe and clean work environment,
- Increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting services in high public contact areas of the court campus (we note that the US Center for Disease Control recommends regular cleaning as a crucial step towards limiting the spread of the virus),
- Expanded our usual telework options for eligible employees and told managers that any employee who feels ill should stay home
- Modified the requirement that court-appointed guardians make monthly in-person visits to their wards, consistent with the policy of the facility where a ward resides, while ensuring the health, safety and welfare of individuals who are among the most vulnerable.
- People summoned for jury duty who are unable to serve on the summons date can use the eJuror system on the DC Courts’ website or contact the Jurors Office at 202/879-4604 to request a deferral.
The DC Courts are continuously reassessing how best to address the evolving situation. We will post additional information on our website’s homepage, facebook page and the DC Courts’ twitter feed. The DC Courts are committed to seeing that we meet our mission of providing justice to all during this challenging time.
7/10/2020 DCCA Order Extending Bar Exam Application Deadline to July 15
DC Superior Court Update 6/19
DC Superior Court June 18 Order expanding the number of courtrooms and the types of cases that will be heard through August 14.
የኮሎምቢያ አውራጃ ጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ድንጋጌ (የተሻሻለው 6/19/20)
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/10/2020 June 10 Order regarding Remote October DC Bar exam, registration and refunds.
Amended Order Regarding Operation of the DC Courts During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Filed—May 29, 2020)
DC Court of Appeals Update 5/21/2020 Order Regarding DC Court of Appeals Operating Status through June 30
DC Superior Court Update - DC Superior Court May 14 Order expanding the number and types of cases that will be heard through June 19.
Ver orden enmendada expandiendo los tipos y número de casos hasta el 19 de junio de 2020.
ትዕዛዝ 5/14/20 ተሻሽሏል
DC Superior Court Promulgation Order (20-04) and Board of Judges Resolution increasing the the Crime Victims Compensation Program's maximum for food and emergency shelter during the pandemic - 4/15/2020 - 6pm
DC Superior Court Update - 4/1/2020 - 6pm
Superior Court Advisory 3/31/2020 - 4pm
The Civil Division has an addendum to the general order addressing the tolling of various deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the links below in English and Spanish.
Addendum to General Order Addressing Tolling of Deadlines due to COVID-19
Addendum a la Orden General Relativa a los Casos Civiles
ወረርሽኝ በተመለከተ ለተላለፈው ጠቅላላ ትእዛዝ ተጨማሪ መግለጫ (አደንደም)
DC SUPERIOR COURT ADVISORY - March 27, 2020, 4pm
The following two orders were issued this afternoon:
- Order Suspending Weekend Jail Sentences until June 5
- Order Suspending Execution of Certain Misdemeanor Bench Warrants
DC Court of Appeals Order 3/23/2020 -3pm
DCCA Order Updating 3/16 Order, Covering Operations through May 31
DC Superior Court Update - Sunday 3/22, 2:30pm
Order Further Reducing DC Superior Court Court Operations - 3/18/2020, updated 3/19/2020, 4pm
March 19 - 4pm - The update is a clarification, made in response to inquiries the court has received and to ensure understanding of the full scope of the suspension of time limits imposed by statutes and court rules.
Vea la orden de reducción de operaciones en el Tribunal Superior - 3/19/20
Statement of DC Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, chair of the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration - March 18 - 1:30pm
This morning the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration issued this order invoking emergency authority under the DC Code to give DC Superior Court Chief Judge Morin and me the authority to take needed steps during this public health crisis to toll deadlines and make other necessary changes to our respective court operations and rules to address the coronavirus risk. The DC Courts are endeavoring to meet emergency needs of the community, while minimizing exposure risk to the greatest extent possible.
Joint Committee on Judicial Administration Emergency Authority Order
See information and resources available for self-represented litigants: LawHelp.org/DC.
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY.
Please check each division tab for information on current orders and operations.
Parties may file, and the court will rule on, applications for waivers of filing fees and other costs. See more in the March 18 General Order.
DC Courts Update 4/6/2020 6pm - The Consumer Law Resource Center may be contacted by phone for assistance with emergency matters in a consumer case, such as attachment/freezing a bank account, contact the Consumer Law Resource Center at their temporary number, 202-780-2574. Please also see the 4/6 notice for information regarding free legal help with landlord tenant and other housing issues.
DC Superior Court Update - Clerk’s Offices Remote Operations 3/26/2020
In response to COVID-19 all clerk’s offices for Superior Court are operating in a remote status with no staff on-site. We have employees available to answer questions via telephone, email and Live Chat. Due to the limited resources for processing mail, please call or email a request, document or image of a document to avoid a delay in processing your request. Below is information regarding operations that will be conducted remotely by the Clerk’s Offices. All emergency hearings will be conducted by the judge remotely.
Clerk's Offices Remote Operations Information
Vea en Español: Notificación de las Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría.
የሱፒርየር ፍርድ ቤት የክለርክ (ጸሀፊ) ቢሮዎች የርቀት አሰራሮች (ሪሞት ኦፐሬሽንስ)
DC Courts Update - 3/25/2020 - 6pm
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Those summoned for either petit and grand need not report. Jurors can complete the juror questionnaire, defer jury duty service and make requests to be excused from jury duty service online at www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices. Jurors can also email the completed questionnaire or an image of their completed questionnaire to jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov. The Jurors’ Office is returning calls to those who leave messages on 202-879- 4604, responding to emails sent to jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov and available 8:30am-5pm Monday through Friday to answer questions on Live Chat (click on the Live Chat button on the right side of the webpage at https://www.dccourts.gov/jurors/about-your-juryduty).
7/17/2020 - UPDATE TO NOTICE REGARDING RECIPROCITY FOR THE OCTOBER 2020 REMOTE EXAM FOR BAR ADMISSION
The District of Columbia Committee on Admissions is pleased to announce that DC has entered a reciprocity agreement with Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Tennessee and Kentucky for the portability of scores from the October 2020 Remote Bar Exam. The Committee on Admissions will continue to seek reciprocity with other jurisdictions offering the October 2020 Remote Bar Exam. Applicants who do not wish to have their scores reported to other jurisdictions must opt out prior to taking the exam. To be eligible to apply under the reciprocity agreement, applicants must attain a passing score as set by the jurisdiction to which they wish to apply as well as meet all other admission requirements for that jurisdiction. More details will be posted on the Committee on Admission's webpage in the coming weeks.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/10/2020 June 10 Order regarding Remote October DC Bar exam, registration and refunds.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/8/2020 -- In light of continued pandemic conditions, recently released recommendations for reopening the District, and the overwhelming demand for seats for the DC Bar Exam, the DC Court of Appeals has decided to administer a remote bar exam with questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. This remote bar exam will be administered on October 5 and 6, 2020. In light of the ongoing precautions, space limitations, and logistical challenges involved in an in-person exam due to the pandemic, the Court has decided to offer this exam in lieu of the September Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) announced earlier. The remote exam, which will not provide a portable UBE score, will be open to all who wish to apply and are qualified under DC Court of Appeals rules for application by examination, including repeat test-takers. The Court will issue an order within a week, which will include a formal announcement and provide details on reopening the application process.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/5/2020 - Pursuant to this court May 21, 2020, order, the court is no longer suspending or tolling filing deadlines. Unless the court has specifically ordered otherwise in a particular case, effective May 31, 2020, parties will have 30 days (until June 30, 2020) to submit any filings that were due on or before May 31, 2020. June filing due dates are not extended. Motions requesting extensions of time with respect to filing deadlines for motions, briefs, and other similar filings will be liberally granted consistent with the equities of the case.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 5/22/2020 -- Due to the overwhelming level of interest in the September 2020 DC Bar Examination, the court will not be able to seat applicants who do not meet the priority criteria listed in the court’s May 4 Order. The Court expects to open registration for additional priority applicants and will provide two days’ notice prior to opening the applications. Please check this website for updates.
5/21/2020 Order Regarding DC Court of Appeals Operating Status through June 30
The Historic Courthouse remains closed due to the pandemic. Oral arguments will take place via videoconference beginning May 26; arguments will be live-streamed to the DC Courts' YouTube Channel. Parties please note changes to tolling of filing deadlines. Emergency filings should be emailed to emergencyfilings [at] dcappeals.gov. The order contains email addresses for questions from the public and the bar.
DC Court of Appeals Update - 5/4
The DC Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions has set September 9 and 10 for the next DC Bar Exam. Click here to see the May 4 order with more detailed information about registration).
DC Court of Appeals Update - 4/10 @ 1pm
The July DC Bar Exam has been cancelled (PDF) ; final decision re: fall bar exam to be announced by May 4.
3/23/2020 Order Regarding DC Court of Appeals Operating Status
By Order of the Chief Judge, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals has further adjusted its operations to address concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), through May 31, 2020. This order supersedes the 3/16 order.
Statement of Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby/DC Court of Appeals coronavirus advisory - March 16, 2pm
As Chair of the DC Courts' Joint Committee on Judicial Administration, I want to assure the public that the DC Courts understand the urgency of addressing the Coronavirus emergency. I also want to keep the public informed of the latest steps the DC Courts are taking to reduce risks of the Coronavirus while also ensuring that urgent criminal justice and public safety matters are handled and access to justice is maintained.
As you can see in the advisories posted in the last few days on www.dccourts.gov/coronavirus, the DC Superior Court has significantly reduced its operations, and only those matters that are urgent and crucial to public safety will go forward.
The DC Court of Appeals has just posted an updated and more detailed Coronavirus operations plan. The Court is not closing and is open for all new filings, through our eFiling process and via email for pro se parties who are not registered eFilers. The court will continue to decide motions and issue decisions on already argued and submitted cases during this time. However, all oral arguments scheduled through March 31, 2020, are cancelled. The Court will continue to decide cases on the summary calendar. Filing deadlines are being tolled until March 31, meaning if a filing is due 3/16 to 3/30, it may be filed on 3/31. The Court's eFiling rules that require that two paper copies be provided to the court are suspended. The Committee on Admissions (CoA) and the Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law offices will be closed to the public until 3/31. However, the CoA Office will continue to receive and process applications, and grade the February 2020 bar exam. Appellate mediations will be rescheduled. Please see the order below (it's also available on https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all collectively deal with this unprecedented health crisis.
General Order Concerning Show Cause Orders in Landlord and Tenant Cases (July 28, 2020)
During the public health emergency declared by the Mayor of the District of Columbia, if a party is unable to electronically sign a document that needs to be filed, please include /s/ on the signature line.
All civil matters currently reflecting a 2022 hearing date year will be scheduled sooner as the Court expands its remote courtroom capacity. As cases are scheduled parties will be notified and receive instructions on how to connect to the videoconference of the hearing.
The Civil Division has an addendum to the general order addressing the tolling of various deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the links below in English, Spanish and Amharic.
Addendum to the General Order Concerning Civil Cases (Amended June 30) explaining deadlines and tolling.
Addemdum a la Orden General Relativa a los Casos Civiles (30 de junio)
General Order for Foreclosure Cases (July 2, 2020)
Addendum to General Order (March 30) Addressing Tolling of Deadlines due to COVID-19
Addendum a la Orden General Relativa a los Casos Civiles
ወረርሽኝ በተመለከተ ለተላለፈው ጠቅላላ ትእዛዝ ተጨማሪ መግለጫ (አደንደም)
The Clerk of Court's 3/26 Remote Operations Summary provided that the Civil Division will continue to process all documents submitted via eFiling. Emergency motions will be forwarded to the judge for review. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx. Self-Represented litigants without access to eFiling can file emergency motions and applications for waiver of prepayment of cost (Fee Waiver Applications) by emailing these documents to Civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov. Fee Waiver Applications are available on our website's Judge in Chambers page
Emergency motions should be emailed to civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov.
Inquiries can be directed to the various Civil Clerk’s Offices using the following telephone numbers or by clicking the Live Chat button located on the right side of the webpage.
Civil Actions Branch: 879-1133 Live Chat: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-over-10k
Landlord and Tenant Branch: 879-4879 Live Chat: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/landlord-tenant
Small Claims Branch: 879-1120 Live Chat: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-10k-or-less
LANDLORD TENANT BRANCH (Non-payment of Rent/ Evictions) -
202-879-4879 Live Chat: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/landlord-tenant
Assistance for those without an attorney - Landlord/Tenant Branch
The Landlord Tenant Resource Center may be contacted by phone to obtain assistance with submitting an emergency motion for a landlord tenant matter. The temporary phone number is 202-780-2575. A tenant who is not able to file an emergency complaint for a housing issue and persons needing assistance with other court matters can contact Rising for Justice at 202-638.4798
All evictions of tenants and foreclosed homeowners are stayed (postponed) during the public health emergency declared by the Mayor.
A March 18 order provided that:
- "any obligation of any tenant under a protective order to make payments into the court registry is suspended during the period of the emergency. Tenants should make these payments instead directly to landlords, and a landlord’s acceptance of a direct payment will not prejudice the landlord’s ability to prosecute the action. If a landlord seeks sanctions for violation of a protective order after the public health emergency ends, the court will consider, in addition to other relevant circumstances, exigent circumstances relating to the public health emergency, and
SMALL CLAIMS BRANCH -
To talk to a member of the Small Claims Branch staff, call 202-879-1120 Live Chat: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-10k-or-less
ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY - The Consumer Law Resource Center provides information regarding small claims cases, debt collection, rent deposit recovery, and other consumer matters. You can contact the following number if you have an emergency in a consumer case, such as the attachment of your bank account, and are not able to submit the emergency motion and fee waiver application electronically: a. D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center - Consumer Law Resource Center Temporary Phone Line - 202-780-2574.
Crime Victims Compensation Program All applications for crime victims’ compensation funds will be processed by staff remotely. New applications can be emailed 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. The application for crime victims’ compensation can be located on the Courts website at https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/CVCPApplicationJune2020.pdf. If you are not able to complete an application online, you can contact the office via telephone at 202-879-4216 or email at CVCPOffice [at] dcsc.gov for assistance with new and existing claims.
COVID-19 Amended Citation Calendar 6/24/2020
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing and other orders issued by the court that would otherwise expire are suspended, tolled and extended during the period pending further order of the Court. This includes, but is not limited to, timelines for preliminary hearings pursuant to Rules 5.1 and D.C Code § 23-1322(a) and (b), as well as indictment deadlines and trial deadlines, including deadlines pursuant to D.C. Code §§ 23-102, 23‐1322(h), and 24‐801.
Until further notice the Criminal Division will not be conducting non-jury or jury trials. The Criminal Division will issue written notice 30 days prior to the recommencement of non-jury trials and 60 days prior to the recommencement of jury trials to provide the prosecution and defense sufficient time to subpoena witnesses and prepare for trial.
All status hearings, (except detained status hearings set out of C-10), trials, (both jury and non-jury, detained and non-detained), and non-detained preliminary hearings scheduled through August 14, 2020 will be continued to a future status date, at which time a new date for trial may be set. Probation show cause hearings scheduled before March 17, 2020 will be continued to a future date; the filing of an AVR shall toll the expiration of probation. Sentencing hearings will also be continued to a future sentencing date, unless the parties request that the hearing proceed forward on an earlier date and all parties can appear remotely. Scheduled of continued hearing dates can be found here and here. All deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing and other orders issued by the court that would otherwise expire by August 14, 2020 are suspended, tolled and extended during the period of the current emergency.
Information about how to request a hearing can be found here and here
The Criminal Division will continue to operate remotely or partially remotely with hearings being conducted via telephone or videoconference from the Central Cellblock, the D.C. Jail, St. Elizabeths Hospital and the community.
Detained preliminary hearings and other non-evidentiary hearings may proceed upon the request of defense counsel and agreement of the United States Attorney’s Office or Office of the Attorney General, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld; witnesses and victims will also appear remotely.
COMMENCING JULY 6, 2020 the following additional partially remote courtrooms will be added to the Remote Courtrooms already in operation:
* TWO ADDITIONAL COURTROOMS FOR DETAINED PRELIMINARY HEARINGS
Courtrooms 211 and 215 will be primarily dedicated to detained preliminary hearings for Felony 1 and Felony 3 cases respectively. Courtroom 211 will be reserved for detained Felony 1 preliminary hearings and Courtroom 215 will be reserved for detained Felony 3 preliminary hearings. These Courtrooms will be in addition to preliminary hearing Courtroom 210, which will continue fully remote operation for preliminary hearings in Felony 2 cases. Subject to an approved COVID-19 screening and testing protocol, detained defendants will appear in person before the Criminal Judge in the appropriate courtroom, depending on case type.
* ADDITIONAL COURTROOM FOR NON-DETAINED HEARINGS
Courtroom 112 will be dedicated to non-detained, non-evidentiary hearings, such as the entry or completion of Deferred Prosecution or Deferred Sentencing Agreements, dispositions, and sentencings; such hearings will be scheduled upon the joint request of both parties. In addition, pre-trial and probation show cause hearings will be heard in this courtroom. Individuals with outstanding bench warrants may report to this courtroom until 1 pm each day, and to C10 thereafter. Defendants will appear in person before the Criminal Judge in the courtroom.
PROTOCOLS FOR PARTIALLY REMOTE COURTROOMS
All individuals entering these courtrooms will be required to wear a mask or face covering for their nose and mouth. The courtrooms will be configured in order to maximize physical distancing, with the installation of plexiglass barriers and hearing participants and members of the public positioned at least six feet apart. Each court will have a maximum capacity designation posted, based on the square footage of the spectator area of the courtroom. Alternative arrangements will be made to accommodate public access to the proceedings if any courtroom reaches posted capacity. The defendant will be provided access to a telephone to facilitate unrecorded, confidential communication with counsel during the hearing. Courtroom clerks and court reporters will appear remotely. Counsel may appear in person or continue to appear remotely via video or teleconference. Witnesses and victims may appear in person or via videoconference.
REMOTE COURTROOMS All remote courtrooms will continue to operate, as previously set forth here with the following modifications:
Courtroom 111 will still be dedicated to non-detained, non-evidentiary hearings, such as the entry or completion of Deferred Prosecution or Deferred Sentencing Agreements, dispositions and sentencings; such hearings will be scheduled upon the joint request of both parties. The matters shall be set in misdemeanor and felony cases in alternating weeks; Week M will be for misdemeanor cases and Week F will be for felony cases.
Courtroom 210 will be dedicated to preliminary hearings in Felony 2 cases only. In special circumstances, such as co-defendant matters or matters requiring a sign language interpreter, a request may be made to schedule the preliminary hearing in one of the partially remote courtrooms.
The following previously issued orders are extended until further order of the Court:
- March 16, 2020 Order giving law enforcement discretion to release additional individuals on citation.
- March 21, 2020 Order authorizing law enforcement to give citation release in lieu of arrest to individuals arrested on a limited category of misdemeanor bench warrants.
- March 27, 2020 Order suspending weekend jail sentences
- April 1, 2020 Order clarifying the status of expiration dates for Deferred Prosecution and Sentencing Agreements and probationary terms
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.
All judges and courtroom staff will continue to work remotely. Parties will appear via telephone or videoconference for hearings held in remote courtrooms.
Please see the 6/22 Domestic Violence Division Court Operations plan here.
On June 22, the DV Division issued a Scheduling Order on when hearings that previously were scheduled through August 14 will be held. A new Scheduling Order with future dates for hearings set prior to August 14 is 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.
- All DVM arraignments will continue to be heard in Courtroom C10. CCC arraignments scheduled before June 19, 2020, will be continued.
- All other hearings, including but not limited to status hearings, diversion matters, show cause hearings, trials, and sentencings, scheduled before June 19 will be continued consistent with a scheduling order issued by the presiding judge.
- Until further order, the DVD will not be conducting non-jury trials.
- Hearings in which a defendant is detained in the DVM or CCC case, including arraignments, emergency bond review motions, status hearings, and probation show cause hearings, will be heard in a remote DVD courtroom at the request of the defendant and with the agreement of the government.
Civil Protection Order (CPO) Cases and Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs)
- Civil filings should be submitted through www.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 and related-CPO hearings will be continued to a future date consistent with a scheduling order issued by the presiding judge.
- 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
All Family Court matters currently scheduled on or before June 19, 2020, will not be heard unless specifically set by the judge hearing the case. Parties whose cases are set will receive instructions on how to connect to the videoconference of the hearing.
Abuse & Neglect cases - the Court is hearing the following matters remotely: neglect initial hearings, emergency hearings, dispositions, consent hearings, pretrial and status hearings where necessary, stipulated trials, one day trials of any type. Neglect-related adoption petitions may be filed in a special electronic dropbox starting May 18.
Domestic Relations (Custody, divorce, child support) may be initiated online. Click here for information on how to file. All deadlines in orders issued before March 20 are extended by 90 days. 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.
Juvenile Delinquency and PINS Juvenile delinquency initial and probable cause hearings will be held, as well as other emergency, status and disposition hearings, including the HOPE Court program and Juvenile Behavioral Diversion Program. In addition, trials of detained juveniles will be held if the parties agree.
Private adoption hearings will be held when possible.
Mental Habilitation cases - Counsel for respondents shall continue to file updated status reports pursuant to Administrative Order No 00-06.Review and emergency hearings will take place remotely, if all parties can access the hearing.
Mental Health probable cause hearings and the Mental Health Commission hearings will be held remotely.
The Marriage Bureau is processing applications for marriage licenses remotely and performing weddings by videoconference. Those who wish to apply for a marriage license should visit https://www.dccourts.gov/form/marriage-application.
Name changes - Uncontested and emergency requests are being heard.
Parentage & Support - Emergency cases and those that can be resolved based on filings are going forward. DNA testing is currently unavailable.
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 at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx. 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.
The Self-Help Center (SHC) is operating remotely- those who would like the SHC's assistance should 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.
Click to see information about the Probate Division operations.
The Probate Division will continue to process documents submitted via eFiling. Emergency matters (21-day and provisional guardianship) 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: D.C. 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 D.C. Superior Court Probate Division, 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/probatematters 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
If you need prepayment of costs to be waived, please complete a Fee Waiver Application located on the DC Courts' website at https://www.dccourts.gov/services/judge-in-chambers/in-forma-pauperisfee-waiver
All hearings and orders regarding document production are postponed/continued. Documents for matters before the Auditor Master Office can be emailed to Auditor.Master [at] dcsc.gov. For questions regarding your case, please contact 202-626-3280. For specific information regarding hearings and production of documents for the Auditor Masters Office, please read this notice and see the May 14 order.
TAXAttorneys 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 D.C. 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 will be available remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For inquiries, please contact 202-879-1549.
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 regarding family mediation and community matters, please contact 202-879-3180.
Documents for family mediation cases and community matters can be emailed 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 are not able to 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.
