Superior Court of the District of Columbia — Local services in Washington

As a grown woman I overcame child abuse. After a relative brutally raped me I had to go to court with my family to testify about things that made me uncomfortable. At seventeen years old my aunt allowed men around me and they did inappropriate things. Eventually I became pregnant by my child dad who also was abusive to me. We decided to break up for the better and just be respectful parents for our child. In 2014 judge Ditorro granted full joint legal custody to both of us me and there father now share custody in which we do seven days in and seven days off. My issue is that I work and pay taxes and because my child's father is selfish he continues to claim the child each year without allowing me to get back the money's that federal and state ate taking from me and my child each year. He does not care about the fact that the judge told us we need to communicate who will claim and for which yeah. The judge said if he does not comply I have a right to come back to court and get an order that week state the tax years for whom which can claim the child and from what period. I feel as though because the judge trusted him to make a good decision as a dad instead of writing it on paper that the court is causing me and my child pain and suffering. Someone stole his car so he rushed claimed my son again and got a new car and did not care about how me and there child get back and forth it's not fair to me to have to keep asking for a trial. Not fair to me to have to go through all I'm going through when he's the one that did not follow the court order. Also I have arthritis from walking a lot my son was borderline diabetic and I had to take him to the doctor because his dad does not keep up with his health. When I have a issue with his dad the court feel as though it's ok to delay things like speedy trials. I have filed a motion to modify and a return of service and I called judged Beckers chambers and a very stern and cold person answered and really didn't want to listen to me as a person and that hurt my feelings. I work a Forty hours a week and it was pretty sad I had to take time off just to file, and when I do nobody feels the need to grant a hearing . Today I had two witnesses heard the clerk for judge Becker say even though I filed correctly and did everything I need to do that they just haven't made a hearing and he said he don't know when they will make a hearing then he said I need to file the same paperwork all over again but someone else said that wouldn't be necessary. So now people have me going back and forth and aren't telling me what I need to Know. I feel as though I'm being attacked by the family Courts the same people who are supposed to protect me. It's been for years since this order was written and my child's dad has claimed him each year this needs to end soon. He should follow the judges orders and allow me to claim our son on alternating years or we can split the taxes he get half and I get the other half. This is appropriate for parents like us who share custody and do ling tern visits to know that he failed to make a good decision shows how immature he is which is why I am asking for a trial and have to go back up to the courts now after being at work all day sweating I can't go home take a shower I have...

Jury duty.

Not a bad experience. The judges decides they didn't need Jurors for the day and let us go after 1.5 hrs.

What to expect: You'll go through security when you enter. Bags, things in your pocket go through a scanner. You dont need to take of your belt or shoes. They switched Jurors to a different floor from what was assigned when I called in, but the information desk was helpful in helping me figure that out. There was also a sign letting everyone know where to check in.

The check in desk is separate from the lounge but it isnt hard to find once you're on the correct floor. Check in is simple where you give them the form you got in the mail and your ID and they confirm: your name, address, if your employer pays you, and give you an FAQ sheet. No questionnaire to fill out. They've changed the juror fee to check via mail rather than debit card, which take a few business days to arrive.

You can then go to the Jurors lounge, which looks a lot like a DMV waiting room, but cleaner and newer. A worker also checked people in here. They have a lot of outlets, a few tables for laptop users, bathrooms in the room and hallway, water fountains and vending machines in the hall. No refrigerator if youre brining lunch but they do have a microwave. Most people wore work clothes: guys wore pants and button downs or polos (a few t-shirts and some shorts) while women wore blouses, shirts, jackets.. etc.

Most people used their phones, were on computers, or read books. They played a video at the beginning but said they wouldn't play anything else. The video described the process and said you would be called at some point to be interviewed to see if you'd be a good impartial juror. If they know they wont need you they let you know as soon as possible.

Part of the way through someone responsible for the Jurors came in saying that they would ask for volunteers for a grand jury that would see 50 cases over 5 weeks. She said even if you have vacation, business trips, something else they would work with you and excuse you for those days. An hour and a half in they said the judges decided not to take any Jurors for the day and let everyone leave. We returned our plastic badges at the end.

You can get an absence form for work...

Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2025)

– Pro se plaintiff

Mbalaminwe Mwimanzi of Gainesville, Virginia, has filed a federal civil rights suit (Case No. 25-cv-00102 (TJK)) against the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC), alleging wrongful overdetention and an unlawful strip search in violation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Allegations Mwimanzi was held in pretrial detention from February 14 to May 11, 2023 (86 days), then released on probation under a plea agreement allowing only a 75-day “step-back” upon violation. Despite this, he was re-incarcerated after a revocation hearing on February 1, 2024, and detained beyond the agreed term. He also claims that, during intake, DOC officials subjected him to a strip search lacking reasonable suspicion and contrary to agency directives.

Procedural Posture Mwimanzi filed his complaint on March 3, 2025. The DOC moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim. In his April 19 opposition, Mwimanzi points to DOC records, policy manuals, and mission statements to show both overdetention and unconstitutional search. The DOC replied on May 8, arguing its actions complied with applicable guidelines. Mwimanzi’s further response is expected soon.

Legal Issues

Due Process: Whether detaining Mwimanzi past February 1, 2024, deprived him of liberty without authority. Unreasonable Search: Whether the strip search violated D.C. DOC’s Intake and Classification Directive 101.04 and Fourth Amendment standards.

Next Steps & Implications If the motion to dismiss is denied, discovery may unearth intake logs and video footage. A ruling for Mwimanzi could prompt DOC policy reforms; a dismissal would reaffirm existing procedures.

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