{"id":372233,"date":"2016-06-28T17:11:55","date_gmt":"2016-06-28T22:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/dc-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:59:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T19:59:45","slug":"dc-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/dc-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n District of Columbia Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Welcome to FindLaw’s section on Washington, D.C.’s criminal laws. This section includes summaries of criminal offenses and statutes regulating penalties, such as capital punishment, felonies, and restraining orders.<\/p>\r\n

Many Americans assume that the way criminal cases play out on television is the same way they play out in real life. This is not the case. Every case is unique, and the D.C. courts handle cases differently depending on the crime.<\/p>\r\n

This section provides practical information for non-attorneys about Washington, D.C.\u2019s criminal code, including the laws governing the following:<\/p>\r\n