Superior Court Rules for Mental Retardation Proceedings – 2026
Commitment and habilitation proceedings for people with intellectual disabilities. The court still publishes the set under its original "Mental Retardation" title, which is how it must be cited even though the statutory vocabulary has since changed. Rule 8C governs the limited discovery available in a commitment proceeding, and Rule 4B(d) rather than Rule 8C is what addresses pre-trial hearings.
Browse all 20 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, Purpose, and Construction
Rule 2
Magistrate Judges and Filing of Legal Papers
Rule 3
Admission to a Mental Retardation Facility
Rule 4A
Commitment of Individuals Who Are Not Competent to Refuse
Rule 4B
Commitment of Respondents Found Incompetent to Participate in
Rule 4C
Appeal
Rule 5
Transfer of Committed Resident
Rule 6
Discharge From Residential Placement
Rule 7
Periodic Review of Orders for Commitment and Admission
Rule 8A
Incorporation of and Reference to Civil Rules
Rule 8B
Time
Rule 8C
Limited Discovery in Commitment Proceedings Pursuant to D.C. Code §
Rule 9
Service of Legal Papers; Proof of Service
Rule 10
Motions Practice
Rule 11
Appointment and Withdrawal of Counsel
Rule 12
Appointment, Training and Removal of Mental Retardation Advocates
Rule 13
Continuances
Rule 15
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
Rule 16
Entry of Judgment
Rule 17
Closure of Case Due to Death of Resident