Goal V | District of Columbia Courts

District of Columbia Courts

Goal V: Effective Court Management and Administration

Effective management and operation of the justice system for the District of Columbia requires a team of knowledgeable professionals with a common mission and shared resources, collaborating to achieve results that best serve the public. The Courts are committed to fiscal accountability with respect to all Courts’ resources. Confidence in the judicial system necessitates that each case management function -- trial and appellate – understands the individual responsibilities and unique role of the other while leveraging opportunities for shared approaches to administrative functions.

Strategies & Key Results

Strategies Key Results

Collaborate with city and community partners to offer expanded information and selected services at court facilities.

By 2021, expanded information and community services will be available at court facilities.

Expand collaborative partnerships with community agencies to advance the Courts’ mission and services to the public.

By 2022, all court divisions will develop/ expand strategic partnerships with critical community stakeholders.

Ensure safe and functional court facilities.

By 2022, the Moultrie Courthouse expansion and Building A and B renovations will be completed (pending full funding).

Enhance the quality and availability of court records and data.

By 2020, enhanced data quality metrics and reports will be available.

Implement results-based performance measures and publish performance reports.

By 2019, court performance data will be available on the Courts’ website.

Maintain a Continuity of Operations Plan in collaboration with District agencies.

Beginning 2019, annual testing of mission-critical components of the Continuity of Operations Plan will be undertaken.

Strategic Partnerships

The District’s ability to address systemic issues that underlie justice system involvement depends upon government and community leaders working together to understand issues from multiple points of view and to develop multi-faceted solutions. The Courts will continue to engage in collaborative partnerships with justice system agencies and other organizations to enhance the quality of life of the community and reduce residents’ involvement with the justice system.

The Courts will continue to support efforts to strengthen the rule of law and the development of justice systems around the world by serving as a model court and hosting international delegations seeking to learn about the American judicial system. The Courts provide education and court observation opportunities to hundreds of judges and court administrators from countries around the world who are particularly interested in our problem-solving courts, judicial education programs, and alternative dispute resolution programs. These strategic partnerships strengthen rule of law and judicial systems around the world, and enhance public trust and confidence in the District of Columbia’s court system.

Community Information and Services

The Courts play a vital role in the community. In addition to protecting rights and liberties, holding offenders accountable for their actions, and ensuring public safety, the Courts provide other services to the community at large. Judicial officers participate in community meetings to hear about issues affecting residents and local businesses. The Courts also host legal education programs for area law students, summer crime-prevention and pro-social programs for youth under court supervision, and the annual Youth Law Fair. It is important that visitors experience the Courts as connected to and part of the community. People often come into contact with the judicial system only after other efforts and systems have not worked for them. The Courts will collaborate with our city and community partners to expand the information and services offered to the public at the District’s courthouses. Our vision is that when people come to court they will be able to obtain information and/services from a variety of city agencies and local organizations that contribute to community well-being and enhance public trust in the justice system.

Secure and Functional Facilities

The Courts will ensure that all facilities are safe and secure and can adequately accommodate court operations and personnel. During the next five years, court facilities will undergo extensive expansion and building upgrades to the Moultrie Courthouse and other buildings. The Courts will continue to seek full funding to complete these important capital projects and to maintain the Courts’ infrastructure. Facility upgrades will be environmentally responsible and energy efficient, and will include advanced security measures. The Courts will continue to participate in inter-agency continuity operations planning and will maintain business continuity plans for all essential court operations.

Measuring Results

The Courts will continue to measure and monitor our performance and use the results to improve operations. The Plan will expand the use of data collection and analysis, organizational performance measures, and qualitative and quantitative evaluation of programs and services to assess results and outcomes and make improvements. The Courts are committed to transparency of performance results and will post information on the Courts’ website. To ensure the high quality of court records and data, the Courts will review and update data quality management practices and develop enhanced data quality metrics and reports.

Choose Goal

Goal V: Effective Court Management and Administration

Strategies & Key Results

"Open to All, Trusted by All, Justice for All"

District of Columbia Courts | (202) 879-1010

"Open to All, Trusted by All, Justice for All"

District of Columbia Courts | (202) 879-1010