District of Columbia State Court Records Search Suggestions
As there may be more than one source to obtaining District of Columbia criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.
District of Columbia Court Structure:
The District of Columbia superior court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving civil matters (with amount in controversies of $5,001 and above; no maximum). District of Columbia's small claims courts have jurisdiction to hear cases with amounts in controversy from $0-$5,000. The superior court has exclusive domestic relations jurisdiction, exclusive criminal jurisdiction, and exclusive jurisdiction over traffic or other violations, except for most parking cases (which are handled administratively). The superior court has exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile matters. The superior court is the proper venue for preliminary hearings as well. The District of Columbia's court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction over cases involving civil matters, criminal matters, administrative agency matters, juvenile matters, disciplinary matters, original proceedings, and interlocutory decision matters. Its court of appeals has discretion ("discretionary jurisdiction") to hear cases involving small claims, minor criminal matters, and original proceeding matters.
