{"id":372355,"date":"2017-06-07T15:22:20","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T20:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/your-criminal-case-in-washington-dc-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2025-06-10T15:38:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T20:38:18","slug":"your-criminal-case-in-washington-dc-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/your-criminal-case-in-washington-dc-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"What To Expect From Your Washington D.C. Criminal Case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What To Expect From Your Washington D.C. Criminal Case<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, 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

The court system in Washington DC functions like that of most other states. The criminal process from arrest to trial is similar to other US states, with a few exceptions. The principal differences involve the judges and attorneys who prosecute cases.<\/p>\r\n

The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is not a federal court. It functions as a state court of general jurisdiction for the District of Columbia. District court judges receive 15-year appointments from the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The DC Superior Court handles all criminal, civil, and traffic cases within the DC Metropolitan area.<\/p>\r\n

Arrest and Booking<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The DC Metropolitan Police Department<\/a> law enforcement officers may arrest individuals based on warrant<\/a>s issued by a magistrate judge on a sworn complaint approved by a prosecutor. The officer does not need the warrant in hand to make an arrest.<\/p>\r\n

A police officer can make an arrest without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe:<\/p>\r\n