The Washington DC District Court is a general trial court of the United States federal court machinery. It is a court of law, admiralty, and equity, wherein both civil and criminal cases are filed.
The Congress established the court in 1863 and the present name was adopted in 1948. The Washington DC District Court sits over all those cases that arise in the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) and over which federal courts possess original jurisdiction. The court also hears cases that involve the laws of the District of Columbia, as per the statute that any case under the state law should be heard at a federal court only. All appeals from this court are directed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, except for patent cases and claims made against the US government, which lie within the ambit of the Tucker Act.
It is however, a court of limited jurisdiction, sharing judicial rights with the Supreme Court over misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor breaches, and all civil cases where the damages sought are less than $50,000. It has sole jurisdiction over small claims and infractions. Four judges, including a chief judge, preside over cases that are filed here.
The court convenes in the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, situated on Constitution Avenue NW. It is a historic building, which is protected under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Washington District Court Public Records
Like all other district courts records, Washington too has put up its court records online for easy access by the masses. The District of Columbia District Court website is a veritable minefield of information on the jury, the attorneys, the court rules and regulations, and Washington District court records. A Washington District court records search will give you access to court caseloads as well as a comprehensive list of court opinions that have been filed in the past 90 days. The site will also guide you ably should you wish to access opinions that are more than 90 days old.
A Washington District Court records search will enable you to find information on a case in the court against a specific case number, a person's name, or even the name of a business. You can also find out your court date from this web site. Attorneys too find the court records web site immensely helpful. They may view all the court proceedings associated with their Bar Number and also have the court calendar mailed to them everyday.
Washington District Court public records stock information on lawsuits, divorces, civil and criminal records, bankruptcy and property records, judgments, juvenile and probate records, and liens. This records portal also contains registration information of various corporate bodies, limited liability companies and partnerships, limited partnerships, and various other legal entities that register their businesses with the Washington Secretary of State.
The Washington District Court record website is easy to access and easier still to navigate. The USP of Washington District court records?free and instantly available?it is almost like having the facts right at your fingertips.
