What is considered a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia?
DC misdemeanor crimes include offenses such as disorderly conduct, aggressive panhandling, possession of an open container of alcohol, and drinking or urinating in public. These offenses are prosecuted by the DC Attorney General’s office and handled in the Superior Court’s DC Misdemeanor and Traffic Community Courts. Such behaviors have a significant negative impact on the DC community and the quality of life of its residents.
The purpose of DC Misdemeanor and Traffic Community Courts:
- To improve public safety
- To compensate the neighborhood for the damage of quality of life offenses by having the defendants perform community service
- To link defendants with social services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling and employment and housing assistance.