Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The Criminal Division's rules, mirrored on the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The headline is split prosecutorial authority: under D.C. Code § 23-101 the D.C. Attorney General prosecutes offenses punishable by fine only or by up to a year, plus specified offenses, and "all other criminal prosecutions shall be conducted in the name of the United States by the United States attorney" — so felonies in Superior Court are brought by federal prosecutors. Release runs through D.C. Code §§ 23-1321–1331 by way of Rule 46(a), which starts from personal recognizance or an unsecured bond and requires the least restrictive further condition; the Pretrial Services Agency supervises. A defendant detained under § 23-1322(b) must be indicted within 90 days and tried within 100.

Last updated September 07, 2026

Browse all 82 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Rule 1 Scope; Authority of the Chief Judge; Definitions Rule 2 Interpretation Rule 3 The Complaint Rule 4 Arrest Warrant or Summons on a Complaint Rule 4-I Use of Summons When Reprosecuting Offense Rule 4.1 Complaint, Warrant, or Summons by Telephone or Other Reliable Rule 5 Initial Appearance Rule 5.1 Preliminary Hearing Rule 6 The Grand Jury Rule 7 The Indictment and the Information Rule 8 Joinder of Offenses and of Defendants Rule 9 Arrest Warrant or Summons on an Indictment or Information Rule 10 Arraignment Rule 11 Pleas Rule 12 Pleadings and Pretrial Motions Rule 12-I Motions Practice Rule 12.1 Notice of an Alibi Defense Rule 12.2 Notice of an Insanity Defense; Mental Examination Rule 12.3 Notice of a Public-Authority Defense Rule 12.4 Disclosure Statement Rule 13 Joint Trial of Separate Cases Rule 14 Relief from Prejudicial Joinder Rule 15 Depositions Rule 16 Discovery and Inspection Rule 16-I Informal Discovery Rule 17 Subpoena Rule 17.1 Pretrial Conference Rule 20 Transfer From the District of Columbia for Plea and Sentence Rule 23 Jury or Nonjury Trial Rule 24 Trial Jurors Rule 25 Judge’s or Magistrate Judge’s Disability Rule 26 Evidence Rule 26.1 Foreign Law Determination Rule 26.2 Producing a Witness’s Statement Rule 26.3 Mistrial Rule 27 Proving an Official Record Rule 28 Court-Appointed Expert Witnesses and Interpreters Rule 29 Motion for a Judgment of Acquittal Rule 29.1 Closing Argument Rule 30 Jury Instructions Rule 31 Jury Verdict Rule 32 Sentencing and Judgment Rule 32.1 Revoking or Modifying Probation Rule 33 New Trial Rule 34 Arresting Judgment Rule 35 Correcting or Reducing a Sentence or Collateral; Setting Aside Forfeiture Rule 36 Clerical Error Rule 36-I Recording of Court Proceedings; Release of Transcripts Rule 37 Indicative Ruling on a Motion for Relief That Is Barred by a Pending Rule 38 Staying a Sentence Rule 40 Release and Detention of Federal Defendants Rule 40-I State Fugitives and Extradition Rule 41 Search and Seizure Rule 41-I Interception of Wire or Oral Communications Rule 42 Criminal Contempt Rule 43 Defendant's Presence Rule 44 Right to Appointed Counsel; Joint Representation Rule 44-I Assignment of Counsel Rule 45 Computing and Extending Time Rule 46 Release from Custody; Supervising Detention Rule 47 Motions and Supporting Affidavits Rule 47-I Paragraph (b) includes the requirement of former Rule 47-I(b) that a motion Rule 48 Dismissal Rule 49 Serving and Filing Papers Rule 49.1 Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court Rule 51 Preserving Claimed Error Rule 52 Harmless and Plain Error Rule 53 Photography, Broadcasting, Recording, and Other Disclosures Rule 55 Records of the Clerk Rule 55-I Removal of Records Rule 56 When Court Is Open Rule 57 Rules of Courts Rule 60 Victim's Rights Rule 61 Title Rule 62 Criminal Rules Emergency Rule 101 Assignment of Cases Rule 111 Motion for Continuance Rule 112 Notice of Appearance Submitted by Defense Counsel Rule 113 Witness Fees and Allowances Rule 116 Bond or Collateral Security Rule 117 Magistrate Judges Rule 119 Custody of Property and Exhibits in Criminal Cases