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District of Columbia law

Domestic Violence Laws in District of Columbia.

D.C. protection-order practice is governed primarily by the Intrafamily Offenses Act, which authorizes civil protection orders (CPOs) from the Superior Court’s Domestic Violence Division. D.C. criminal law provides parallel intrafamily-offense charges, and CPOs can include stay-away, housing, custody, and firearm-surrender provisions.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key District of Columbia Statutes

D.C. Intrafamily Offenses ActD.C. Code §§ 16-1001 et seq.

D.C. law authorizes civil protection orders for victims of intrafamily offenses through the Superior Court, with stay-away and related protective provisions.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in District of Columbia.

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