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District of Columbia (D.C.) Law

A guide to researching D.C. Law

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Germaine Leahy

Germaine Leahy

Head of Reference/Energy & Environmental Law Librarian


About D.C. Law

District of Columbia bird

"Created by Congress in 1801 as the nation's capital, the District has for various purposes been treated as a state, municipal corporation, territory, and federal agency.  Under its plenary constitutional power over the District, Congress had established various local judicial systems, legislative bodies, and executive authorities, but usually retained a measure of federal control."

Source: District of Columbia Practice Manual, at 1 (28th ed., 2020).Library CollectionThe Great Seal of the District of Columbia

Sources of D.C. Law:

Council of the District of Columbia
legislation & laws
U.S. Congressional
legislation & laws
D.C. agency regulations & administrative decisions Federal agency regulations & administrative decisions
D.C. court decisions Federal court decisions

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