# Super. Ct. Juv. R. 2: Rule 2. Purpose and Construction

> District of Columbia · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R2

## Section

- **Citation:** Super. Ct. Juv. R. 2
- **Heading:** Rule 2. Purpose and Construction
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** District of Columbia Court Rules / Family Court / Superior Court Rules Governing Juvenile Proceedings / Super. Ct. Juv. R. 2

## Text

These Rules are intended to provide for the just determination of every proceeding in
which a child is alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision. They embrace the
principle that each child is an individual entitled, in his own right, to appropriate elements of
due process of law, and also adopt the principle that, when a child is removed from his
own home, the Family Court will secure for him custody, care and discipline as nearly as
possible equivalent to that which should have been provided for him by his parents. These
Rules shall be construed to secure simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration and
the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay. If practicable, feasible, and lawful, all
cases concerning the same or immediate family or household members and any
subsequent case(s) shall be processed consistent with the one family, one judge provision
of the District of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001.
If no procedure is specifically prescribed by these Rules, the Family Court may proceed
in any lawful manner not inconsistent with these Rules or with any applicable statute.
COMMENT
The first and third sentences of this Rule are taken from FRCrP 2. The second and
fourth sentences of the Rule (1) make clear that our Rules retain the obligation to give
proper care to a child removed from his own home, and (2) implement the one family, one
judge provision of the District of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001, Public Law 107-114
(January 8, 2002).
The last paragraph of the Rule is taken from FRCrP 57(b).

## Nearby sections

- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 1 Rule 1. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 2 Rule 2. Purpose and Construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R2.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 3 Rule 3. The Complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R3.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 4 Rule 4. Order for Custody](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R4.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 5 Rule 5. Use of Summons When Repetitioning Offense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R5.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 6 Rule 6. The Grand Jury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R6.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 7 Rule 7. The Petition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R7.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 8 Rule 8. Joinder of Offenses and of Respondents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R8.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 9 Rule 9. Summonses and Other Notices of Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R9.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 10 Rule 10. Initial Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R10.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 11 Rule 11. Guilty Pleas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R11.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 12 Rule 12. Pleadings, Motions, and Defenses Before the Factfinding Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R12.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 12.1 Rule 12.1. Notice of Alibi](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R12_1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Juv. R. 13 Rule 13. Trial Together of Petitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPJUV_R2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.