Motion for Change of Venue in the District of Columbia

Important Information on Filing a Motion for Change of Venue in D.C.

“It is a fundamental Sixth Amendment right that defendants are entitled to ‘a fair trial’ by a panel of ‘impartial, indifferent’ jurors,’” ...(Bost v. United States, 178 A.3d 1156, 1176-77 [D.C. 2018] quoting Welch v. United States, 466 A.2d 829, 834 [D.C. 1983] quoting Irvin v. Dowd , 366 U.S. 717, 722 [1961]), “and ordinarily a change of venue is ‘an appropriate remedy’ ‘[w]hen a threat to this constitutional protection is posed ....’” (Id.)

“However, because the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ‘sits as a single unitary judicial district,’ a change of venue is not available in the District of Columbia. (Id., citing United States v. Edwards, 430 A.2d 1321, 1345 [D.C. 1981].)

“Accordingly, we have said that the trial court's denial of a motion for a change of venue is ‘required.’” (Bost v. United States, 178 A.3d 1156, 1176-77 [D.C. 2018] quoting id.) “Because it is a ‘fundamental’ rule in our jurisdiction that ‘no division of this court will overrule a prior decision of this court...’” (Bost v. United States, 178 A.3d 1156, 1176-77 [D.C. 2018] quoting Washington v. Guest Servs., Inc., 718 A.2d 1071, 1075 [D.C. 1998] quoting M.A.P. v. Ryan, 285 A.2d 310, 312 [D.C. 1971].)