District of Columbia Code
Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]

§ 16–308. Investigations when prospective adoptee is adult or petitioner is spouse or domestic partner of natural parent - (a) The court may dispense with the investigation, report, and...

§ 16–309. Adoption proceedings - (a) Within a period of ninety days, or such time...

§ 16–310. Finality of decrees of adoption - An attempt to invalidate a final decree of adoption by...

§ 16–311. Sealing and inspection of records and papers - From and after the filing of the petition, records and...

§ 16–312. Legal effects of adoption - (a) A final decree of adoption establishes the relationship of...

§ 16–313. Child as including adopted person - In the District, “child” or its equivalent in a deed,...

§ 16–314. Birth certificates - (a) Upon the issuance of a final decree of adoption,...

§ 16–315. Prior proceedings - The provisions of this chapter have no effect prior to...

§ 16–316. Appointment and compensation of counsel; guardian ad litem - (a) When a petition for adoption has been filed and...

§ 16–317. Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption - (a)(1) A final judgment of adoption granted by a judicial,...

Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction

§ 16–401. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) "Ancillary...

§ 16–402. Prohibitions and penalties. [Repealed] - [Repealed]. (Mar. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 9-219, § 2, 40...

§ 16–403. Collaborative reproduction authorized - An intended parent or parents shall be recognized as the...

§ 16–404. Surrogacy agreements authorized - A surrogacy agreement shall be enforceable; provided, that all parties...

§ 16–405. Requirements of surrogates and intended parents - (a) An individual seeking to serve as a surrogate shall...

§ 16–406. Contents of surrogacy agreements - (a) An enforceable surrogacy agreement shall: (1) Be in writing...

§ 16–407. Parentage in collaborative reproduction - (a)(1) In the case of a child born by a...

§ 16–408. Court order of parentage - (a) A petition for parentage for the intended parent or...

§ 16–409. Effect of subsequent marriage or domestic partnership or dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership - A subsequent marriage or domestic partnership or dissolution thereof for...

§ 16–410. Effect of death of intended parent - If an intended parent dies after a successful insemination or...

§ 16–411. Effect of withdrawal of consent - Either the surrogate or the intended parent or parents may...

§ 16–412. Rules - The Mayor, pursuant to [[subchapter I of Chapter 5 of...

Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment

Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally

§ 16–501. Attachment before judgment; affidavit and bond - (a) This section applies to any civil action in the...

§ 16–502. Service of notice; publication - (a) A writ issued pursuant to section 16-501 shall require...

§ 16–503. Attachment for debts not due - A creditor may maintain an action and have an attachment...

§ 16–504. Additional attachments - Upon the application of the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney,...

§ 16–505. Sufficiency of plaintiff’s bond - The defendant or any other person interested in the proceedings...

§ 16–506. Traversing affidavits; quashing writ of attachment; trial of issues - If the defendant files affidavits traversing the affidavits filed by...

§ 16–507. Property subject to attachment; liens; priorities - (a) An attachment may be levied on the lands and...

§ 16–508. Attachment of real property - An attachment is sufficiently levied on the lands and tenements...

§ 16–509. Attachment of personal property; undertaking by defendant or person in possession - (a) An attachment shall be levied upon personal chattels by...

§ 16–510. Release of property or credits from attachment; sufficiency of undertaking - (a) Either the defendant or the person in whose possession...

§ 16–511. Attachment of credits or partnership interest; retention of property or credits by garnishee - (a) An attachment shall be levied upon credits of the...

§ 16–512. Attachment and levy upon wages of nonresident - An attachment issued under section 16-501 solely on the ground...

§ 16–513. Advance payment of wages to avoid attachment or garnishment - It is unlawful for an employer to pay salary or...

§ 16–514. Credits or property held for two or more persons or in representative capacity - When a writ of attachment is served on a garnishee,...

§ 16–515. Attachment of judgments and money or property in hands of marshal - (a) An attachment may be levied upon debts due to...

§ 16–516. Attachment of money or property in hands of executor or administrator - An attachment may be levied upon money or property of...

§ 16–517. Attachment of other property in replevin action - Where the action is to replevy specific personal property and...

§ 16–518. Preservation of property; sale; receiver - The court may make all orders necessary for the preservation...

§ 16–519. Defenses by garnishee - A garnishee in an attachment proceeding may make any defense...

§ 16–520. Defending against the attachment; trial of issues - A defendant, any garnishee, party to a forthcoming undertaking, or...

§ 16–521. Interrogatories to garnishee; oral examination - (a) In any case in which a writ of attachment...

§ 16–522. Traverse of garnishee’s answers; trial of issue; costs and attorney’s fee - If any garnishee answers to interrogatories that he does not...

§ 16–523. Claims to attached property - Any person may file his motion and affidavit in the...

§ 16–524. Judgment generally; condemnation of attached property - (a) If the defendant in the action has been served...

§ 16–525. Condemnation and sale of property; proceeds of sale under interlocutory order - In any form of action, where specific property has been...

§ 16–526. Judgment against garnishee - (a) When a garnishee has admitted credits in his hands,...

§ 16–527. Judgment in case of undertaking for retention of property or credits - (a) When property or credits attached are released upon an...

§ 16–528. Judgment protects garnishee - A judgment of condemnation against a garnishee, and execution thereon,...

§ 16–529. Attachment in actions for fraudulent conveyances - (a) Where the ground upon which an attachment is applied...

§ 16–530. Time for trial of issues - All issues raised by answers to the attachment, in any...

§ 16–531. Attachment dockets; index of attachments - The clerk of the court shall keep an attachment docket,...

§ 16–532. Other remedies of judgment creditor - Nothing herein contained deprives a judgment creditor of the right...

§ 16–533. Attachment proceedings in Superior Court - The provisions of this Code relating to attachments apply to...

Subchapter II - Attachment and Garnishment After Judgment in Aid of Execution

§ 16–541. Definition and applicability - As used in this subchapter, “judgment” includes an unconditional decree...

§ 16–542. Issuance of attachment after judgment; costs - An attachment may be issued upon a judgment either before...

§ 16–543. Revival of judgment unnecessary - Attachment may be issued at any time during the life...

§ 16–544. Property subject to attachment - An attachment may be levied upon the judgment debtor’s goods,...

§ 16–545. Multiple attachments against same judgment debtor - Only one attachment upon goods, chattels, and credits of a...

§ 16–546. Attachments of credits - An attachment shall be levied upon credits of the defendant,...

§ 16–547. Retention of property or credits by garnishee - Where the property or credits attached or sought to be...

§ 16–548. Attachment of judgments and money or property in hands of marshal - (a) An attachment may be levied upon debts due to...

§ 16–549. Attachment of money or property in hands of executor or administrator - An attachment may be levied upon money or property of...

§ 16–550. Preservation of property; sale - The court may make all orders necessary for the preservation...

§ 16–551. Defending against the attachment; trial of issues - A garnishee or stranger to the action who may make...

§ 16–552. Interrogatories to garnishee; oral examination - (a) In any case in which a writ of attachment...

§ 16–553. Traverse of garnishee’s answers; trial of issue; costs and attorney’s fee - If a garnishee answers to interrogatories that he does not...

§ 16–554. Claims to attached property - Any person may file his motion and affidavit in the...

§ 16–555. Condemnation and sale of property; proceeds of sale under interlocutory order - Where the attachment has been levied upon specific property, on...

§ 16–556. Judgment against garnishee - (a) Subject to the provisions of subchapter III of this...

Subchapter III - Attachment and Garnishment of Wages, etc

§ 16–571. Definitions - For purposes of this subchapter — (1) The term “wages”...

§ 16–571.01. Enforcement of support orders by attachment or garnishment - Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a notice or...

§ 16–572. Attachment of wages; percentage limitations; priority of attachments - Notwithstanding any other provision of subchapter II of this chapter:...

§ 16–572.01. Motion to exempt wages from garnishment - (a) Notwithstanding § 16-572, a judgment debtor may seek to...

§ 16–572.02. Notice to judgment debtor regarding wage garnishment - On the date that the judgment creditor serves a writ...

§ 16–573. Employer’s duty to withhold and make payments; percentage - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

§ 16–574. Judgment creditor to file receipts, in court, of amount collected - (a) The judgment creditor shall: (1) file with the clerk...

§ 16–575. Judgment against employer-garnishee for failure to pay percentages - If the employer-garnishee fails to pay to the judgment creditor...

§ 16–576. Lapse of attachment upon resignation or dismissal of employee - If a judgment debtor resigns or is dismissed from his...

§ 16–577. Applicability of per centum limitations to judgment for support - The per centum limitations prescribed by section 16-572 do not...

§ 16–578. Superior Court judgments; lapse; validity - An attachment issued by the Superior Court of the District...

§ 16–579. Payments by employer-garnishee where employee has no salary or salary inadequate for services rendered - Where the judgment debtor claims or is proved to be...

§ 16–580. Quashing attachment where judgment obtained to hinder just claims - Where an attachment levied under this subchapter is based upon...

§ 16–581. Rules of procedure - The judges of the Superior Court of the District of...

§ 16–582. Attachments to which this subchapter is applicable - This subchapter applies only with respect to attachments upon wages,...

§ 16–583. No garnishment before judgment - (a) Except as otherwise provided in the District of Columbia...

§ 16–584. No discharge from employment for garnishment - No employer shall discharge an employee for the reason that...

Chapter 6 - Bonds and Undertakings

§ 16–601. Undertaking in lieu of fiduciary’s bond - A bond required from an executor, administrator, administrator cum testamento...

Chapter 7 - Criminal Proceedings in the Superior Court

§ 16–701. Rules and regulations - The Superior Court may make such rules and regulations for...

§ 16–702. Prosecution by indictment or information - An offense prosecuted in the Superior Court which may be...

§ 16–703. Process of Criminal Division; fees - (a) The Criminal Division of the Superior Court may issue...

§ 16–704. Bail; collateral security - (a) A person charged with an offense triable in the...

§ 16–705. Jury trial; trial by court - *NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legistation that will...

§ 16–706. Enforcement of judgments; commitment upon non-payment of fine - The Superior Court may enforce any of its judgments rendered...

§ 16–707. Disposition of fines - (a) All fines payable and paid under judgment of the...

§ 16–708. Penalties for wrongful conversion of forfeitures and fines - Whoever, being an agent as contemplated and defined by section...

§ 16–709. Executions on forfeited recognizances and judgments - The Superior Court of the District of Columbia may issue...

§ 16–710. Suspension of imposition or execution of sentence - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), in criminal cases...

§ 16–711. Restitution or reparation - (a) In criminal cases in the Superior Court, the court...

§ 16–711.01. Restitution or reparation — Enforcement - (a) An order of restitution or reparation requiring a person...

§ 16–712. Community service - (a) In criminal cases in the Superior Court of the...

§ 16–713. Alien sentencing - (a) Prior to acceptance of a plea of guilty or...

Chapter 8 - Criminal Record Sealing

§ 16–801. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Clerk”...

§ 16–802. Sealing of criminal records on grounds of actual innocence - (a) A person arrested for or charged with the commission...

§ 16–803. Sealing of public criminal records in other cases - (a)(1) A person arrested for, or charged with, the commission...

§ 16–803.01. Sealing of arrest records of fugitives from justice - (a) A person arrested upon a warrant issued pursuant to...

§ 16–803.02. Sealing of public records for decriminalized or legalized offenses - (a) A person arrested for, charged with, or convicted of...

§ 16–804. Motion to seal - (a) A motion to seal filed with the Court pursuant...

§ 16–805. Review by Court - (a) If it plainly appears from the face of the...

§ 16–806. Availability of sealed records - (a) Records sealed on grounds of actual innocence pursuant to...

§ 16–807. Savings provision - This chapter does not supersede any other provision of the...

Chapter 8A - Third-Party Custody

§ 16–831.01. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “De...

§ 16–831.02. Action for custody of child by a third party - (a)(1) A third party may file a complaint for custody...

§ 16–831.03. Action for custody of a child by a de facto parent - (a) A de facto parent may file a complaint for...

§ 16–831.04. Third-party custody orders - (a) A custody order entered under this chapter may include...

§ 16–831.05. Parental presumption - (a) Except when a parent consents to the relief sought...

§ 16–831.06. Award of custody to third party - (a) The court shall award custody of the child to...

§ 16–831.07. Findings necessary to rebut the parental presumption by clear and convincing evidence - (a) To determine that the presumption favoring parental custody has...

§ 16–831.08. Factors to consider in determining best interests of child - (a) In determining whether custody with a third party, pursuant...

§ 16–831.09. Pendente lite relief - (a)(1) During the pendency of any proceeding under this chapter,...

§ 16–831.10. Effect of a third-party custody order - An order awarding physical or legal custody of a child...

§ 16–831.11. Modification or termination of orders - (a) An award of custody to a third party under...

§ 16–831.12. Jurisdiction - The court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce, modify, or terminate...

§ 16–831.13. Other actions for custody not abolished, diminished, or preempted - Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the...

Chapter 9 - Divorce, Annulment, Separation, Support, Etc

§ 16–901. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Cash...

§ 16–902. Residency requirements - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

§ 16–903. Decree annulling marriage - A decree annulling the marriage as illegal and void may...

§ 16–904. Grounds for divorce, legal separation, and annulment - (a) A divorce from the bonds of marriage may be...

§ 16–905. Revocation and enlargement of decree of legal separation - (a) The court may revoke its decree of legal separation...

§ 16–906. Causes for absolute divorce arising after decree for separation - Where a legal separation has been decreed the court may...

§ 16–907. Parent and child relationship defined - (a) The term “legitimate” or “legitimated” means that the parent-child...

§ 16–908. Relationship not dependent on marriage or domestic partnership - A child is the legitimate child of any parent under...

§ 16–909. Proof of child’s relationship to parents - (a) A father-child relationship is established by an adjudication of...

§ 16–909.01. Establishment of paternity by voluntary acknowledgment and based on genetic test results - (a) Paternity may be established by: (1) A written statement...

§ 16–909.02. Full faith and credit to parentage determinations by other states - The District of Columbia government shall give full faith and...

§ 16–909.03. Voluntary paternity acknowledgment program for birthing hospitals - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “birthing...

§ 16–909.04. Voluntary paternity acknowledgment program for birth records agency - (a) The Registrar of Vital Records shall offer to any...

§ 16–909.05. Mayor authorized to designate other sites for paternity acknowledgment program - The Mayor is authorized to establish voluntary paternity establishment services...

§ 16–910. Assignment and equitable distribution of property - Upon entry of a final decree of legal separation, annulment,...

§ 16–911. Pendente lite relief - (a) During the pendency of an action for legal separation,...

§ 16–912. Permanent alimony; enforcement. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 562, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–913. Alimony - (a) When a divorce or legal separation is granted, or...

§ 16–914. Custody of children - (a)(1)(A) In any proceeding between parents in which the custody...

§ 16–914.01. Retention of jurisdiction as to alimony, custody of children, and child support - After the issuance of a judgment, decree, or order granting...

§ 16–914.02. Child custody and visitation rights of parents during deployment for military service - (a)(1) A deploying parent may file a motion with the...

§ 16–915. Change of name on divorce - Upon divorce from the bond of marriage, the court shall,...

§ 16–916. Maintenance of spouse [or domestic partner] and minor children; maintenance of former spouse [or domestic partner]; maintenance of minor children; enforcement - (a) Whenever a spouse or domestic partner shall fail or...

§ 16–916.01. Child Support Guideline - (a) In any case that involves the establishment of child...

§ 16–916.01a. — Appendices to § 16-916.01 - [APPENDICES I. Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, II. Worksheet...

§ 16–916.02. Child Support Guideline Commission - (a) There is established a Child Support Guideline Commission (“Commission”)....

§ 16–916.03. Proceedings in which child support matters may be considered - The court may consider child support matters, as it deems...

§ 16–917. Co-respondents as defendants; service of process. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 562, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–918. Appointment of counsel; compensation; termination of appointment - (a) In all cases under this chapter, where the court...

§ 16–919. Proof required on default or admission of defendant - A decree for a divorce, or a decree annulling a...

§ 16–920. Effective date of decree or judgment for annulment or absolute divorce - A decree or judgment annulling or dissolving a marriage, granting...

§ 16–921. Validity of marriage, action to determine - When the validity of an alleged marriage is denied by...

§ 16–922. Validity of marriages and divorces solemnized or pronounced before January 1, 1902 - This chapter does not invalidate any marriage solemnized according to...

§ 16–923. Abolition of action for breach of promise, alienation of affections, and criminal conversation - Causes of action for breach of promise, alienation of affections,...

§ 16–924. Expedited judicial hearing for child support - (a) In any case brought under D.C. Official Code, section...

§ 16–925. Privacy protection for victims of domestic violence - (a) The Mayor shall promulgate rules and establish procedures to...

Chapter 10 - Proceedings Regarding Intrafamily Offenses

Subchapter I - Intrafamily Proceedings Generally

§ 16–1001. Definitions - For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Attorney...

§ 16–1002. Complaint of criminal conduct - A petitioner has a right to seek relief under this...

§ 16–1003. Petition for civil protection order; representation - (a) A person 16 years of age or older may...

§ 16–1004. Petition; temporary protection order - (a) Upon receipt of a petition filed pursuant to §...

§ 16–1005. Hearing; evidence; protection order - (a) Parties served with notice in accordance with § 16-1007...

§ 16–1006. Jurisdiction - A petitioner may file a petition for protection under this...

§ 16–1007. Notice to parties - (a) Pursuant to the Rules of the Superior Court of...

Subchapter II - Parental Kidnapping

§ 16–1021. Definitions - For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Child”...

§ 16–1022. Prohibited acts - (a) No parent, or any person acting pursuant to directions...

§ 16–1023. Defense to prosecution; continuous offenses; expenses; jurisdiction - (a) No person violates this subchapter if the action: (1)...

§ 16–1024. Penalties - (a) A person who violates any provision of § 16-1022...

§ 16–1025. Prosecution by Attorney General - Prosecutions under this subchapter shall be brought in the Superior...

§ 16–1026. Expungement - Any parent convicted in the Superior Court of the District...

Subchapter III - Domestic Violence

§ 16–1031. Arrests - (a) A law enforcement officer shall arrest a person if...

§ 16–1032. Records - Any law enforcement officer who investigates an intrafamily offense shall...

§ 16–1033. Civil liability - A law enforcement officer shall not be civilly liable solely...

§ 16–1034. Training program - (a) The Police force shall incorporate in its educational program...

Subchapter IV - Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection; Uniform Law

§ 16–1041. Definitions - For purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “District” means...

§ 16–1042. Judicial enforcement of order - (a) A person authorized by the law of the District...

§ 16–1043. Nonjudicial enforcement of order - (a) A law enforcement officer, upon determining that there is...

§ 16–1044. Registration of order - (a) The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is...

§ 16–1045. Immunity - The District and its officers and employees, a law enforcement...

§ 16–1046. Other remedies - A protected individual who pursues remedies under this subchapter is...

§ 16–1047. Uniformity of application and construction - In applying and construing this Uniform Act, consideration must be...

§ 16–1048. Transitional provision - This subchapter applies to protection orders issued before the effective...

Subchapter V - Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board

§ 16–1051. Definitions - For purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Board” means...

§ 16–1052. Establishment and purpose - (a) There is established, as part of the District of...

§ 16–1053. Composition of the Board; procedural requirements - (a) The Mayor shall appoint one representative from each of...

§ 16–1054. Access to information - (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, immediately upon the...

§ 16–1055. Subpoena power - (a) When necessary for the discharge of its duties, the...

§ 16–1056. Confidentiality of information and proceedings; penalty for unlawful disclosure of information - (a) Except as provided in this section, information and records...

§ 16–1057. Immunity - (a) Any health-care provider or any other person or institution...

§ 16–1058. Rules - The Mayor shall issue rules implementing the provisions of this...

§ 16–1059. Sunset. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Apr. 11, 2003, D.C. Law 14-296, § 2(c), 50...

Chapter 10A - Anti-Stalking Orders

§ 16–1061. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) "Attorney...

§ 16–1062. Petition for anti-stalking order; representation - (a) A person 16 years of age or older may...

§ 16–1063. Petition; temporary anti-stalking order - (a) Upon receipt of a petition filed pursuant to §...

§ 16–1064. Hearing; evidence; anti-stalking order - (a) Parties served with notice in accordance with § 16-1065...

§ 16–1065. Notice to the parties - (a) Pursuant to the Rules of the Superior Court of...

Chapter 11 - Ejectment and Other Real Property Actions

Subchapter I - Ejectment

§ 16–1101. Parties defendant; joint tenants and tenants in common - (a) A civil action based upon a cause of action...

§ 16–1102. Failure of tenant to give notice to landlord - If a tenant, on whom a complaint in ejectment is...

§ 16–1103. Contents of complaint; adverse possession - In his complaint in ejectment, the plaintiff shall: (1) describe...

§ 16–1104. Proof necessary - (a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section,...

§ 16–1105. Legal title in mortgagee or trustee; possession - It is not a bar to the plaintiff’s recovery in...

§ 16–1106. Performance of contract by vendee as precluding vendor from recovery - Where real property has been sold under a written contract...

§ 16–1107. Several judgments against defendants occupying distinct parcels - When it appears on the trial in an action of...

§ 16–1108. Recovery of less than is claimed - The plaintiff, under a claim to certain described premises, may...

§ 16–1109. Recovery of mesne profits and damages; separate count - (a) The plaintiff may embody in his complaint, in a...

§ 16–1110. Recovery, by landlord, of furniture, arrears in rent, and damages; separate counts - (a) In an action in ejectment against his tenant, a...

§ 16–1111. Separate action for rent or damages - The plaintiff in ejectment is not required to join his...

§ 16–1112. Expiration of title pending suit; damages - If the title of the plaintiff in ejectment expires after...

§ 16–1113. Defense of adverse possession; enclosure - In an action to recover vacant and unimproved lots of...

§ 16–1114. Verdict; judgment; costs; future actions - (a) In an action of ejectment, if the plaintiff’s title...

§ 16–1115. Conclusiveness of final judgment - A final judgment rendered in an action of ejectment is...

§ 16–1116. Improvements; notice; good faith; directions to jury; measure of damages - In an action of ejectment, at any time before the...

§ 16–1117. New trial as to assessment - Either party who feels aggrieved by the assessment provided for...

§ 16–1118. Judgment for damages in excess of improvements - When the damages of the plaintiff, assessed as provided by...

§ 16–1119. Judgment when improvements and damages are equal - When the value of the improvements, ascertained as provided by...

§ 16–1120. Election of plaintiff if value of improvements exceeds damages - If the value of the improvements referred to in this...

§ 16–1121. Judgment and writ of possession after payment for improvements - When the plaintiff pays to the defendant, within the time...

§ 16–1122. Judgment and writ of possession after tender of deed and defendant’s refusal to pay - If the plaintiff tenders to the defendant a deed as...

§ 16–1123. Judgment for defendant after plaintiff’s refusal to pay excess or tender deed - If the plaintiff fails or refuses either to pay the...

§ 16–1124. Ejectment for non-payment of rent; time limitation on relief from judgment; set-off; dismissal upon payment - (a) In a case between landlord and tenant, where one-half...

Subchapter II - Proceedings to Discover the Death of a Tenant for Life

§ 16–1151. Petition by person entitled to claim; form and contents - (a) A person entitled to claim real property, after the...

§ 16–1152. Order to produce life tenant; service of order - Upon the presentation of the petition and affidavit prescribed by...

§ 16–1153. Failure to produce as ordered; subsequent proceedings; commissioners; presumption of death; right of possession - (a) If a person upon whom an order, as prescribed...

§ 16–1154. Investigation outside the District; report to court; presumption of death; right to possession - If before, or at the time of, the presentation of...

§ 16–1155. Restoration of property to life tenant - The possession of real property that has been awarded to...

§ 16–1156. Recovery of profits by person evicted - A person evicted, as prescribed by this subchapter, may, when...

§ 16–1157. Preservation of life tenants’ rights if living at time of return - When a guardian, trustee, or other person holding an estate...

§ 16–1158. Persons holding over after life estate; damages - A guardian or trustee for an infant, or other person...

Chapter 13 - Eminent Domain

Subchapter I - General Provisions

§ 16–1301. Jurisdiction of District Court - The United States District Court for the District of Columbia...

§ 16–1302. Assignment of judge for condemnation cases - The chief judge of the United States District Court for...

§ 16–1303. Jurisdiction of Superior Court - The Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction...

Subchapter II - Real Property for District of Columbia

§ 16–1311. Condemnation proceedings by District of Columbia - When real property in the District of Columbia is needed...

§ 16–1312. Juries for condemnation proceedings - For purposes of this subchapter, a special jury list shall...

§ 16–1313. Selection of jury; oath of jurors - In each action brought pursuant to this subchapter, the court...

§ 16–1314. Declaration of taking; contents; deposit; transfer of title; determination; interest - (a) In an action pursuant to this subchapter, the plaintiffs...

§ 16–1315. Distribution of money deposited on declaration of taking; judgment for deficiency or overpayment; execution - After the filing of the declaration of taking, and the...

§ 16–1316. Time for surrender of possession under declaration of taking; adjustment of charges - Upon the filing of the declaration of taking provided for...

§ 16–1317. Objections to jurors; appraisement - The court, before accepting the jury in a condemnation proceeding...

§ 16–1318. Objections or exceptions to appraisement; new jury - (a) Objections or exceptions to an appraisement of the jury...

§ 16–1319. Payment of award; transfer of title - If the appraisement of the jury pursuant to section 16-1317...

§ 16–1320. Fixing time for return of verdict - In every case involving the condemnation of real property under...

§ 16–1321. Abandonment of proceedings; liability - In a condemnation proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, it is...

Subchapter III - Excess Property for Development of Seat of Government

§ 16–1331. Acquisition of property in excess of needs - In order to promote the orderly and proper development of...

§ 16–1332. Sale of excess property; restrictions on use; fair market value; disposition of moneys - (a) The Mayor of the District of Columbia may, with...

§ 16–1333. Notice of sale of excess property - When excess real property is to be sold pursuant to...

§ 16–1334. Retention, for public use, of excess property - When the authorities of the District of Columbia having jurisdiction...

§ 16–1335. Availability of appropriations for purchase of excess property - When real property is purchased pursuant to this subchapter in...

§ 16–1336. Condemnation of excess real property by Mayor; payment of awards, damages, and costs; no assessments for benefits - (a) When, pursuant to this subchapter, excess real property is...

§ 16–1337. Construction of subchapter - This subchapter does not repeal any provisions of existing law...

Subchapter IV - Real Property for United States

§ 16–1351. Definition - As used in this subchapter, “acquiring authority” means the head...

§ 16–1352. Condemnation proceedings by Attorney General - When, for the purposes specified by section 16-1351 , it...

§ 16–1353. Declaration of taking; contents; deposit; transfer of title; determination; interest - (a) In an action pursuant to this subchapter, the plaintiff...

§ 16–1354. Distribution of money deposited on declaration of taking; judgment for deficiency - After the filing of the declaration of taking, and the...

§ 16–1355. Time for surrender of possession under declaration of taking; adjustment of charges - Upon the filing of a declaration of taking provided for...

§ 16–1356. Setting date for trial - In a proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, after all defendants...

§ 16–1357. Drawing of jurors, and selection of jury; qualifications - When the date for trial has been set, as provided...

§ 16–1358. Oath of jurors - The jurors selected and impaneled, as provided by section 16-1357...

§ 16–1359. Inspection of property by jury; presence of parties - After being selected, impaneled, and sworn, as provided by sections...

§ 16–1360. Trial; evidence; measure of compensation - After the inspection provided for by section 16-1359 , and...

§ 16–1361. Verdict - At the close of the evidence in a proceeding pursuant...

§ 16–1362. Fixing date for new trial; new jurors - If a verdict rendered pursuant to section 16-1361 , or...

§ 16–1363. Judgment - Judgment upon a verdict returned pursuant to section 16-1361 or...

§ 16–1364. Force and effect of judgment; payment - A final judgment rendered against the United States pursuant to...

§ 16–1365. Appeal; deficiency judgment - A party aggrieved by a final judgment in a proceeding...

§ 16–1366. Payment of compensation into court; vesting of title - Payment into the registry of the court for the use...

§ 16–1367. Delivery of possession - Where possession has not been awarded pursuant to a declaration...

§ 16–1368. Additional powers of court - Where the mode or manner of conducting a proceeding pursuant...

Subchapter V - Excess Property for the United States

§ 16–1381. Acquisition of property in excess of needs - In order to promote the orderly and proper development of...

§ 16–1382. Retention, for public use, of excess property - When the authorities of the United States having jurisdiction of...

§ 16–1383. Availability of appropriations for purchases of excess property - When real property is purchased pursuant to this subchapter in...

§ 16–1384. Condemnation of excess real property by United States agencies; payment of awards, damages and costs - (a) When excess real property is condemned by agencies of...

§ 16–1385. Construction of subchapter - This subchapter does not repeal any provisions of existing law...

Chapter 15 - Forcible Entry and Detainer

§ 16–1501. Definition; summons - (a) When a person detains possession of real property without...

§ 16–1502. Service of summons - (a) The summons provided for by section 16-1501 shall be...

§ 16–1503. Judgment and execution for possession - When, upon a trial in a proceeding pursuant to this...

§ 16–1504. Certification to District Court upon plea of title; undertaking [Repealed] - Repealed. (July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 560, Pub. L. 91-358,...

§ 16–1505. Conclusiveness of judgment - A judgment of the Superior Court of the District of...

Chapter 17 - Gaming Transactions

§ 16–1701. Invalidity of gaming contracts - (a) A thing in action, judgment, mortgage, or other security...

§ 16–1702. Recovery of losses at gaming - A person who, at any time or sitting, by playing...

§ 16–1703. Relief from further penalty upon discovery and repayment of losses - Upon the discovery and repayment of the money or other...

§ 16–1704. Cheating at gambling - Whoever, at any one time or sitting, by fraud or...

Chapter 19 - Habeas Corpus

§ 16–1901. Petition; issuance of writ - (a) A person committed, detained, confined, or restrained from his...

§ 16–1902. Service of writ; return - A writ of habeas corpus issued pursuant to this chapter...

§ 16–1903. Suspected evasion or disobedience of writ; procedure - On an application for a writ of habeas corpus, if...

§ 16–1904. Forfeiture and penalty for failure to produce - If an officer or other person to whom a writ...

§ 16–1905. Right to copy of commitment; forfeiture - A person committed or detained, or a person in his...

§ 16–1906. Inquiry into cause of detention; bail; bond - On the return of a writ of habeas corpus issued...

§ 16–1907. Traversing return; pleading; witnesses - A person at whose instance or in whose behalf a...

§ 16–1908. Right of other persons to writ - A person entitled to the custody of another person, unlawfully...

§ 16–1909. Construction of chapter - This chapter does not affect any provision of chapter 153...

Chapter 21 - Joint Contracts

§ 16–2101. Definition of joint and several contracts - For the purposes of action thereon, a contract or obligation...

§ 16–2102. Death of party to the contract - If a person specified by section 16-2101 dies, his executors,...

§ 16–2103. Extinguishment or merger of cause of action - Where, with respect to a contract specified by section 16-2101...

§ 16–2104. Death after action brought; legal representatives - When one of several defendants in an action dies after...

§ 16–2105. Proof of joint liability unnecessary; judgment - In actions ex contractu against alleged joint debtors it is...

§ 16–2106. Separate composition or compromise - Any one of several joint debtors when their debt is...

Chapter 23 - Family Division [Family Court] Proceedings

Subchapter I - Proceedings Regarding Delinquency, Neglect, or Need of Supervision

§ 16–2301. Definitions - As used in this subchapter — (1) The term “Division”...

§ 16–2301.01. References deemed to refer to Family Court of the Superior Court - Any reference in this chapter or any other Federal or...

§ 16–2301.02. Purpose - The purpose of this subchapter is to create a juvenile...

§ 16–2302. Transfer of criminal matters to Family Division - (a) If it appears to a court, during the pendency...

§ 16–2303. Retention of jurisdiction - For purposes of this subchapter, jurisdiction obtained by the Division...

§ 16–2304. Right to counsel; party status - (a) A child alleged to be delinquent or in need...

§ 16–2305. Petition; contents; amendment - (a) Complaints alleging delinquency or need of supervision shall be...

§ 16–2305.01. Findings - The Council finds that: (1) Juveniles who are not under...

§ 16–2305.02. Preliminary probation conferences; adjustment process - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term: (1)...

§ 16–2306. Service of summons and petition - (a) When a petition is filed, the Division shall set...

§ 16–2307. Transfer for criminal prosecution - (a) Within twenty-one days (excluding Sundays and legal holidays) of...

§ 16–2308. Initial appearance - The initial appearance, before a judge assigned to the Division,...

§ 16–2309. Taking into custody - (a) A child may be taken into custody — (1)...

§ 16–2310. Criteria for detaining children - (a) A child shall not be placed in detention prior...

§ 16–2310.01. Separation of young children detained prior to a hearing - The Director of the Department of Human Services and the...

§ 16–2311. Release or delivery to Family Division [Family Court] - (a) A person taking a child into custody shall with...

§ 16–2311.01. Rules - The Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of...

§ 16–2312. Detention or shelter care hearing; intermediate disposition - (a)(1) When a child is not released as provided in...

§ 16–2312a. Evaluation of family team meetings and 72-hour time period for commencement of shelter care hearing - At intervals no later than 6 months, 18 months, and...

§ 16–2313. Place of detention or shelter - (a) A child who is alleged to be neglected or...

§ 16–2314. Consent decree - (a) At any time after the filing of a delinquency...

§ 16–2315. Physical and mental examinations - (a)(1) At any time following the filing of a petition,...

§ 16–2316. Conduct of hearings; evidence - (a) The Division shall, without a jury, hear and adjudicate...

§ 16–2316.01. Scheduling of fact finding and dispositional hearings for children alleged to be neglected - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b)(3) of this section,...

§ 16–2317. Hearings, findings; dismissal - (a) Except as otherwise provided by statute or court rule,...

§ 16–2318. Order of adjudication noncriminal - A consent decree, order of adjudication, or order of disposition...

§ 16–2319. Predisposition study and report - (a) After a motion for transfer has been filed, or...

§ 16–2320. Disposition of child who is neglected, delinquent, or in need of supervision - (a) If a child is found to be neglected, the...

§ 16–2320.01. Restitution - (a)(1) Upon request of the Corporation Counsel, the victim, or...

§ 16–2321. Disposition of child with mental illness or a substantial intellectual disability - (a) If no previous examination has been made under section...

§ 16–2322. Limitation of time on dispositional orders - (a)(1) A dispositional order vesting legal custody of a neglected...

§ 16–2323. Review of dispositional orders - (a) When a child has been adjudicated neglected and a...

§ 16–2324. Vacation, termination of orders - (a) An order of the Division under this subchapter shall...

§ 16–2325. Support of committed child - Whenever legal custody of a child is vested in any...

§ 16–2325.01. Participation order - (a) In any proceedings under this chapter, the court shall...

§ 16–2325.02. Report on failure of respondents to appear in delinquency cases - The Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District...

§ 16–2326. Court costs and expenses - (a) If, at the dispositional hearing or thereafter, the Division...

§ 16–2326.01. Compensation of attorneys in neglect and termination of parental rights proceedings - (a)(1) Except as provided for by subsections (b) and (e),...

§ 16–2327. Probation revocation; disposition - (a) If a child on probation incident to an adjudication...

§ 16–2328. Interlocutory appeals - (a) A child who has been ordered transferred for criminal...

§ 16–2329. Finality of judgments; appeals; transcripts - (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, in all...

§ 16–2330. Time computation - (a) In all proceedings in the Division, time limitations shall...

§ 16–2331. Juvenile case records; confidentiality; inspection and disclosure - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “juvenile...

§ 16–2332. Juvenile social records; confidentiality; inspection and disclosure - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “juvenile...

§ 16–2333. Police and other law enforcement records - (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section and in...

§ 16–2333.01. Permitted disclosures of juvenile information - (a) An official of the Family Court, the Department of...

§ 16–2333.02. Juvenile Abscondence Review Committee - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “abscondence”...

§ 16–2334. Fingerprint records - (a) The contents or existence of law enforcement records and...

§ 16–2335. Sealing of records - (a) On motion of a person who has been taken...

§ 16–2335.01. Motion to vacate adjudication or grant a new factfinding hearing on the ground of actual innocence - (a) A person adjudicated delinquent in the Superior Court may...

§ 16–2335.02. Sealing of records on ground of actual innocence - (a) Notwithstanding section 16-2335, a person who has been arrested...

§ 16–2336. Unlawful disclosure of records; penalties - Whoever willfully discloses, receives, makes use of, or knowingly permits...

§ 16–2337. Additional powers of the Director of Social Services - In addition to the powers and duties prescribed in section...

§ 16–2338. Emergency medical treatment - Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent a public agency having...

§ 16–2339. Immunity for juveniles who are witnesses in juvenile proceedings - (a) Whenever a child, other than a child transferred for...

§ 16–2340. Rights of victims or eyewitnesses in delinquency proceedings - (a) A victim or a eyewitness of a delinquent act...

Subchapter II - Parentage Proceedings

§ 16–2341. Representation - (a) Where a public support burden has been incurred or...

§ 16–2342. Who may bring a complaint; time - (a) A proceeding to determine parentage may be brought by...

§ 16–2342.01. Voluntary acknowledgement of paternity - (a) The voluntary acknowledgment of paternity pursuant to section 16-909.01(a)(1)...

§ 16–2343. Tests to establish parentage - (a) When the Division has jurisdiction of actions or proceedings...

§ 16–2343.01. Admissibility of tests - (a)(1) Expert reports that show the statistical probability of the...

§ 16–2343.02. Sanctions - If any party refuses to submit to a test the...

§ 16–2343.03. Default order - If a respondent fails to appear at a hearing in...

§ 16–2343.04. No right to jury trial - The parties to an action to establish parentage are not...

§ 16–2344. Exclusion of public - Upon trial or proceedings over which the Division has jurisdiction...

§ 16–2345. New birth record upon marriage or determination of parents - (a) When a certified copy of a marriage certificate is...

§ 16–2346. Certificate to Registrar - (a) Upon entry of a final judgment determining the parentage...

§ 16–2347. Death of respondent; liability of estate - If the respondent dies after parentage has been established and...

§ 16–2348. Parentage records; confidentiality; inspection and disclosure - (a) Except on order of the Family Division, no records...

§ 16–2349. Inclusion of social security numbers in parentage records - The social security number of the parents and child who...

§ 16–2349.01. Child support pendente lite - Upon motion of a party in a parentage or support...

Subchapter III - Proceedings Regarding the Termination of Parental Rights of Certain Neglected Children

§ 16–2351. Purpose of the subchapter; construction of provisions - (a) The general purposes of this subchapter are to: (1)...

§ 16–2352. Definitions - (a) As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise...

§ 16–2353. Grounds for termination of parent and child relationship - (a) A judge may enter an order for the termination...

§ 16–2354. Motions - (a) Except as provided by subsection (b)(3) of this section,...

§ 16–2355. Consideration of termination of the parent and child relationship at review hearings - (a) After a child adjudicated neglected by the Division pursuant...

§ 16–2356. Parties - Parties to a proceeding for the termination of the parent...

§ 16–2357. Notice - (a) When a motion to terminate the parent and child...

§ 16–2358. Conduct of hearings - (a) All hearings and proceedings on a motion to terminate...

§ 16–2359. Adjudicatory hearing - (a) A judge shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining...

§ 16–2360. Disposition after termination - (a) If a judge finds that sufficient grounds exist for...

§ 16–2361. Effect of termination decree - (a) An order terminating the parent and child relationship divests...

§ 16–2362. Decrees - (a) Every order of the Division terminating the parent and...

§ 16–2363. Confidentiality of records - The provisions of §§ 16-2332 and 16-2333 shall apply to...

§ 16–2364. Unlawful disclosure - Whoever willfully discloses, receives, makes use of, or knowingly permits...

§ 16–2365. Termination decrees of other jurisdictions - If the parent and child relationship has been terminated by...

Subchapter IV - Court-Appointed Special Advocates

§ 16–2371. Definitions - For the purpose of this subchapter, the term “advocate” means...

§ 16–2372. Court-appointed special advocate program - (a) There is established a court-appointed special advocate program to...

Subchapter V - Permanent Guardianship

§ 16–2381. Purpose of the subchapter; construction of provisions - The general purpose of this subchapter is to: (1) Encourage...

§ 16–2382. Definitions - (a) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1)...

§ 16–2383. Grounds for the creation of a permanent guardianship - (a) A guardianship order may not be entered unless the...

§ 16–2384. Motions - (a) A motion for permanent guardianship may be filed by...

§ 16–2385. Parties - Parties to a permanent guardianship proceeding shall be the child,...

§ 16–2386. Notice - (a) When a motion for permanent guardianship is filed, the...

§ 16–2387. Conduct of hearings - (a) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter...

§ 16–2388. Adjudicatory hearings - (a) The court shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining...

§ 16–2389. Effect of guardianship order - (a) Unless the court specifies otherwise, the permanent guardian shall...

§ 16–2390. Jurisdiction - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the court...

§ 16–2391. Relocation - The permanent guardian shall not relocate with the child over...

§ 16–2392. Guardianship order; finality; appeals; transcripts - (a) Every guardianship order shall be in writing and shall...

§ 16–2393. Confidentiality of records - The provisions of sections 16-2332 and 16-2333 shall apply to...

§ 16–2394. Unlawful disclosure - Whoever willfully discloses, receives, makes use of, or knowingly permits...

§ 16–2395. Modification, termination, or enforcement of the guardianship order - (a) Any party may move the court to modify, terminate,...

§ 16–2396. Support - (a) Nothing under this subchapter shall preclude the permanent guardian...

§ 16–2397. Interlocutory order of guardianship - (a) If it is in the child’s best interests, the...

§ 16–2398. Successor guardian - (a) Upon filing a motion for permanent guardianship pursuant to...

§ 16–2399. Permanent guardianship subsidy - (a) To the extent that appropriated funds are available, the...

Chapter 25 - Change of Name or Gender

§ 16–2501. Application; persons who may file - Whoever, being a resident of the District and desiring a...

§ 16–2502. Notice; contents. [Repealed] - [Repealed]. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–2503. Decree - (a) Upon a showing that the court deems satisfactory, the...

Chapter 27 - Negligence Causing Death

§ 16–2701. Liability; damages; prior recovery as precluding action - (a) When, by an injury done or happening within the...

§ 16–2702. Party plaintiff; statute of limitations - An action pursuant to this chapter shall be brought by...

§ 16–2703. Distribution of damages - The damages recovered in an action pursuant to this chapter,...

Chapter 28 - Medical Malpractice

Subchapter I - Generally

§ 16–2801. Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Court”...

§ 16–2802. Notice of intention to file suit - (a) Any person who intends to file an action in...

§ 16–2803. Extension of statute of limitations - If the notice required under § 16-2802 is served within...

§ 16–2804. Unknown defendant or unlicensed defendant - (a) Section 16-2802 shall not apply to: (1) Any intended...

Subchapter II - Mediation

§ 16–2821. Requirement for mediation - After an action is filed in the court against a...

§ 16–2822. Mediator costs - Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the costs of mediation,...

§ 16–2823. Mediators - (a) The court shall assign the parties to court-provided mediation...

§ 16–2824. Attendance at mediation session - (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “a...

§ 16–2825. Mediation statements - (a) Each party shall submit a confidential mediation statement to...

§ 16–2826. Mediator’s report - A mediator’s report shall be filed with the court no...

§ 16–2827. Confidentiality - (a) The mediation session shall be confidential. All proceedings at...

Subchapter III - Evidence

§ 16–2841. Inadmissibility of benevolent gestures - For the purpose of any civil action or administrative proceeding...

Chapter 29 - Partition

Subchapter I - Partition Generally

§ 16–2901. Parties; accounting by tenant in common - (a) The Superior Court of the District of Columbia may...

Subchapter II - Assignment of Dower; Parties to Partition Proceeding; Sale of Property Discharged from Dower or Spouse’s Intestate Share. [Repealed]

§ 16–2921. Appointment of commissioners; cases of partition. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 597, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–2922. Widow or widower of tenant in common. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 597, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–2923. Wife or husband as party to partition proceeding. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 598, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–2924. Sale of land encumbered by dower; lack of widow’s or widower’s consent; written consent; portion of proceeds. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 598, Pub. L. 88-241,...

§ 16–2925. Sale of indivisible property; discharge from dower or intestate share. [Repealed] - Repealed. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 598, Pub. L. 88-241,...

Chapter 31 - Probate Court Proceedings

§ 16–3101. Definition - As used in this chapter, the term “Probate Court” means...

§ 16–3102. Settlement of accounts as prima facie evidence only - Except as provided by section 16-3111 , in actions: (1)...

§ 16–3103. Summons; failure to appear or give evidence - A summons issued by the Probate Court to a person...

§ 16–3104. Sequestration where person fails to appear - (a) If two summonses issued to a person by the...

§ 16–3105. Plenary proceeding; refusal to answer as required - When either of the parties having a contest in the...

§ 16–3106. Issues to be made up in plenary proceeding; jury; compelling payment of costs - In a plenary proceeding provided for by section 16-3105 ,...

§ 16–3107. Enforcement of judgments, orders and decrees; application of property sequestrated - The Probate Court may enforce its judgments, orders, decrees, and...

§ 16–3108. Ordering investment of funds; revocation of letters for noncompliance - The Probate Court may order a personal representative, special administrator,...

§ 16–3109. Compelling performance of duties by personal representatives, special administrators, etc.; revocation of letters - The Probate Court may order a personal representative, special administrator,...

§ 16–3110. Order admitting will to probate as conclusive evidence - With respect to the trial of issues in the Probate...

§ 16–3111. Arbitration; exceptions - The Probate Court may, with the consent in writing of...

§ 16–3112. Costs and execution - The Probate Court may render judgment for costs against the...

Chapter 33 - Quieting Title Obtained by Adverse Possession

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District of Columbia Code Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]

District of Columbia Code
Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]