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By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed June 02, 2025
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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.
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.
This section provides practical information for non-attorneys about Washington, D.C.’s criminal code, including the laws governing the following:
This is not an exhaustive list. Below are links to helpful FindLaw articles on the District of Columbia Code and how D.C. law impacts criminal cases. If you have questions about your case, check out the articles discussed here or contact a local defense attorney.
If law enforcement has arrested you for allegedly committing a violent crime, you should familiarize yourself with D.C.’s criminal code and rules of criminal procedure. Whether you’re dealing with a misdemeanor case or something more serious, you need to know the possible penalties.
A skilled criminal defense attorney will review your case and help craft a solid legal defense. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can consult a public defender in D.C. Either way, you need to be aware of the maximum sentence you may face and decide how you want to proceed.