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Criminal Division to expand operations
The Criminal Division of D.C. Superior Court will expand in-person operations beginning on Tuesday, September 7.
Reaching out to clients during the pandemic
Reaching out to clients during the pandemic: Sometimes what I need to do is just listen.
D.C. Superior Court extends judicial emergency
D.C. Superior Court has again extended the judicial emergency, this time through May 10, 2021. The Court will expand some operations.
Navigating D.C. Superior Court
Everything you need to know (webpages, emails and phone numbers) to navigate your way around D.C. Superior Court’s Criminal Division during the pandemic.
Judicial emergency in D.C. is extended
Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring has issued an order extending the pandemic-related judicial emergency in D.C. Superior Court through March 31, 2021.
D.C. Superior Court’s remote and partially remote courtrooms
The D.C. Superior Court Criminal Division has increased the number of courtrooms — both remote and partially remote — that will operate during the pandemic.
Will I go to jail for shoplifting in D.C.?
It is extremely unlikely that anyone but the most habitual offender will serve jail time for shoplifting in D.C. This is particularly true during the Covid-19 pandemic.
CPO hearings and some DV trials begin again
Civil protection order (CPO) hearings begin again in D.C. Superior Court. Trials in misdemeanor domestic violence (DV) cases in which the defendant is in custody will resume in December.
D.C. Superior Court will remain closed for most purposes
With the pandemic continuing to rage, and no end in sight, D.C. Superior Court will remain closed for most purposes through January 15, 2021.
The professionalism of D.C. court staff during Covid
Having also practiced in Pennsylvania and Virginia, I have a basis for comparison when I say good things about the system in Washington, D.C.
Fielding general questions on D.C. criminal defense
I do not charge for free consultations. Nor, as a matter of practice, will I take over representation from another lawyer.
Remote sites now offered for D.C. court hearings
D.C. Superior Court now offers WIFI and computers for remote access to hearings at 5 locations. Call 202-879-1900 or email DCCourtsRemoteSites@nulldcsc.gov.
Call me Mr. Reasonable
I suspect that my remote-hearing persona may be more adversarial than my in-person one. And this concerns me: What does this say about me?
Bureaucratic delays plague motions to seal
In a cynical attempt to elicit the court’s sympathy, the government blames Covid-19 for its delays in responding to motions to seal criminal records. Bureaucratic incompetence is the true culprit.
DPAs, DSAs and other D.C. diversion programs during Covid
Hearings with respect to DPAs, DSAs and other diversion programs in Washington, D.C. will be postponed because of Covid-19. Although the agreements will remain in effect during this time, the government has discretion to terminate the agreements early.
With exceptions, D.C. Superior Court remains closed
D.C. Superior Court remains closed for most purposes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. What this means for criminal cases is as follows.
How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect a defendant’s speedy trial rights in D.C.?
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the time between March 18 and November 9, 2020 will be “tolled.” In other words, it will not count when calculating whether a defendant’s speedy trial rights have been violated.
Paying D.C. court costs, fees and fines during Covid-19 pandemic
With the D..C. Superior Court finance office now closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, courts costs, fines and fees can now be paid online or by mail.
Obtaining a restraining order during the Covid-19 pandemic
With D.C. Superior Court now closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Civil Protection Orders (CPOs), Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs) and other forms of restraining orders must be obtained remotely.
Starting a criminal defense practice after Covid
The changes now being effected in response to the pandemic — specifically the trend toward on-line hearings — could pose challenges for new lawyers seeking to start criminal defense practices in D.C.
Criminal defense in the Covid era
We will learn. We will adapt. But as with so many other things in our lives, there will be the pre- and the post-Covid eras. Things will never be the same.
Writing about Covid-19 and the D.C. jail
How do you write about COVID-19 and the D.C. jail without resorting to hyperbole? How do you ask the judge to bend the rules?