General Crimes Section

The General Crimes Section includes four units: the Case Initiation Unit, the Grand Jury Unit, the Felony Trial Unit, and the Misdemeanor Trial Unit. The General Crimes Section handles most of the cases prosecuted in D.C. Superior Court.

Case Initiation Unit AUSAs handle intake of new cases, arraignments, preliminary hearings, and other preliminary matters. Each Case Initiation Unit AUSA also has an active caseload, including burglaries, unarmed robberies, felony assaults, and more complex narcotics distribution and weapons cases.

The Felony Trial Unit is responsible for the post-indictment prosecution of a high-volume of felony cases brought in the Superior Court. Common offenses prosecuted in the FTU are gun possession (such as Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Carrying a Pistol without a License), narcotics distribution, possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute, and unlawful use of a vehicle.

The Grand Jury Unit manages the operation of Superior Court grand juries and handles the grand jury presentation and indictment of Felony Trial Unit cases.

The Misdemeanor Trial Unit prosecutes most misdemeanor crimes committed by adults in the District of Columbia.  Attorneys handle a high-volume of cases involving offenses such as theft, simple assault, drug possession, animal cruelty, destruction of property, threats, and unlawful entry.   The Misdemeanor Trial Unit also administers various diversion programs.