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Washington, D.C.'s "State-Level" Judicial System: Superior Court and Court of Appeals

Washington, D.C.

This is Washington, D.C.'s highest court and only 'state-level' appeals court

D.C. Court of Appeals

  • Hears Appeals as of Right
  • Reviews final orders, judgments and certain rulings of the Superior Court
  • Reviews administrative agency decisions
  • Answers questions of law certified by federal and state appellate courts
  • Does not preside over trials
Kramer & Connolly attorneys regularly appear before the Superior Court for the District of Columbia

D.C. Superior Court

  • Washington, D.C.'s trial court
  • Hears all criminal and civil cases, except for cases that must be heard in federal court
  • Six divisions include Civil, Criminal, Family Court, the Domestic Violence Unit, Probate and Tax
  • Civil Division hears small claims, larger lawsuits, and landlord-tenant disputes
The material provided on trial and appellate litigation in the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. civil trials, appellate litigation, jurisdiction, small claims, exclusive subject matter jurisdiction, concurrent power, courts and judicial proceedings, and amount in controversy is designed for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.