WASHINGTON – On August 8, the DC Court of Appeals will begin accepting documents via e-Filing for all existing cases. Early next year the Court will mandate eFiling for all but self-represented parties. The new system, online at https://efile.dcappeals.gov or via the Appellate Cases Online (ACO) link on the Courts’ website ( www.dccourts.gov/aco), provides access for eFiling and allows real-time viewing of docket information on all public cases in the appellate court.

“We are pleased to launch our public access system, which will allow eFiling of documents as well as online viewing of docket information,” said DC Court of Appeals Chief Judge Eric Washington. “Our Strategic Plan includes a goal of using technology to enhance case processing… and ….to broaden accessibility of court information…” The Court of Appeals’ new eFiling and ACO project advances that goal dramatically.”

DC Court of Appeals Administrative Order 2-16 governs the eFiling and ACO system.  

The DC Superior Court’s Criminal Division and Domestic Violence Unit’s began to accept criminal case documents via e-Filing for all but self-represented parties on July 18th. Prosecutors have been efiling the complaints in such cases for over a year, but the system is now being expanded to allow defense attorneys to e-File as well. On September 26, 2016, defense attorneys handling cases in those two divisions will be required to e-File. As with all other Superior Court divisions with e-Filing, self-represented parties may e-File, but are not be required to do so.

“I am pleased to see the latest phase of our eFiling implementation put into place. E-filing ensures that documents are available sooner and improves the speed and accuracy of filing,” said DC Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield. “With e-Filing, our system is stronger and both lawyers and the public are better served.”

Superior Court Administrative Order 16-12 governs e-Filing for criminal cases in the Domestic Violence Unit and Criminal Division. The order protects personal information, specifying that certain private identifying information shall be redacted.