The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is the federal trial court for Washington, DC. It is also the court closest to our office. This guide covers where the court sits, who prosecutes and defends cases there, and where its local rules are published.
We handle federal cases nationwide.
Where does the court sit?
By law, the District of Columbia is one judicial district, and court is held in Washington (28 U.S.C. § 88). There are no divisions.
Washington, DC
E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse, 333 Constitution Avenue NW. The court's location page explains which entrances visitors use.
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Which appeals court covers it?
Appeals from this court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). Its decisions are binding on the federal judges in this district, so its precedent governs cases here (uscourts.gov, About the U.S. Courts of Appeals).
Who prosecutes and who defends?
Federal prosecutors here work for the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Anyone charged with a federal crime who can’t afford a lawyer can ask the court to appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). Here, appointed lawyers come from the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia, a Federal Public Defender office, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where are the local rules and sentencing procedures?
Every federal court follows the national rules, such as the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, plus its own local rules. This court publishes them on its local rules page.
Local Criminal Rule 32.2 sets the presentence report schedule here: the probation officer shares the first draft at least 28 days before sentencing, the lawyers send any objections to the probation officer within 14 days, and the final report goes to the judge at least 7 days before sentencing.
“Within 14 days thereafter, counsel shall communicate to the probation officer any objections they may have”
Is Brandon Sample admitted in this court?
Yes. Brandon Sample is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He has also handled federal cases in courts across the country.
Which federal prisons are in this district?
There are no Bureau of Prisons prisons in the District of Columbia. The BOP's headquarters (Central Office) is in Washington, but it is an office, not a prison.
People sentenced here are sent to BOP facilities in other states. The BOP decides where, and by law it tries to place people within 500 driving miles of home when it can (18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)).
A prison being in this district doesn’t mean someone sentenced here will go there. The Bureau of Prisons decides where each person serves their sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)).
What families should know about federal cases in this district
- The first hearing comes fast. After an arrest, the person goes before a magistrate judge without unnecessary delay for an initial appearance (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(a)). The judge decides whether they stay in custody while the case goes on (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
- Most felony cases start with an indictment. A grand jury decides in private whether to approve the charges (Fed. R. Crim. P. 6, 7).
- The presentence report matters. A federal probation officer writes a report on the offense and the person’s life before sentencing, and the defense can object to mistakes in it (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(c)–(f)). Check this court’s schedule above.
- The judge decides the sentence. The judge must consider the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the person’s history and background. Families can write letters; there is no limit on the background information a judge may consider (18 U.S.C. § 3661).
- The appeal clock is short. A defendant’s notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
- Prison phones and email are monitored. Don’t discuss the case on them (28 C.F.R. § 540.102).
Questions about the District of Columbia
Where is the federal courthouse in Washington, DC?
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is at 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 (dcd.uscourts.gov). The whole District of Columbia is one federal judicial district, and court is held in Washington (28 U.S.C. § 88).
Who prosecutes federal cases in this court?
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (justice.gov/usao-dc). It is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What if my loved one can't afford a lawyer in a DC federal case?
The court can appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). In this district, appointed lawyers come from the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where do appeals from this court go?
To the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). A defendant's notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).