NCJ Number
54946
Date Published
1977
Length
63 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF COURTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Abstract
LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY'S COURT SYSTEM INCLUDES THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT REFORM AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT OF 1970, THE COURT REFORM ACT OF 1971, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SELF-GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENTAL REORGANIZATION ACT (HOME RULE BILL) OF 1973. THE COURT SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF APPELLATE COURTS AND TRIAL COURTS. FINAL JUDGMENTS OF APPELLATE COURTS ARE REVIEWABLE BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. APPELLATE COURT JURISDICTION COMES FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES: (1) FINAL ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS AND INTERLOCUTORY ORDERS OF TRIAL COURTS CONCERNING INJUNCTIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVERS, GUARDIANS, OR CONSERVATORS AND ORDERS CHANGING OR AFFECTING THE POSSESSION OF PROPERTY, AND (2) ORDERS AND DECISIONS OF THE CITY MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL, OR ANY AGENCY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW. CONSTITUTING THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TRIAL COURTS HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY CRIMINAL CASE UNDER ANY LAW APPLICABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO THE CITY. THEY DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER CRIMINAL CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT. TRIAL COURTS DEAL WITH CIVIL, CRIMINAL, FAMILY, PROBATE, AND TAX MATTERS. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERMS OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. THE JOINT COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL ADMINSTRATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICYMAKING IN COURT ADMINISTRATION. EACH COURT HAS A CHIEF JUDGE DESIGNATED BY THE JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS COMMISSION. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, THE INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, THE TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, TRIAL COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)