District Of Columbia § 16-801 - Definitions.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 16-801 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-801. Definitions.
16-801For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
“Clerk” means the Clerk of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
“Completion of the sentence” means the person has been unconditionally discharged from incarceration, commitment, probation, parole, or supervised release, whichever is latest.
“Conviction” means the judgment (sentence) on a verdict or a finding of guilty, a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere, or a plea or verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
“Court” or “Superior Court” means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
“Disqualifying arrest or conviction” means:
A conviction in any jurisdiction after the arrest or conviction for which the motion to seal has been filed;
A pending criminal case in any jurisdiction;
A conviction in the District of Columbia for an ineligible felony or ineligible misdemeanor or a conviction in any jurisdiction for an offense that involved conduct that would constitute an ineligible felony or ineligible misdemeanor if committed in the District of Columbia or prosecuted under the District of Columbia Official Code, or conduct that is substantially similar to that of an ineligible felony or ineligible misdemeanor.
“Eligible felony” means a failure to appear ();
“Eligible misdemeanor” means any misdemeanor that is not an ineligible misdemeanor.
“Ineligible felony” means any felony other than a failure to appear () [].
“Ineligible misdemeanor” means:
Interpersonal violence as defined in , intimate partner violence as defined in , and intrafamily violence as defined in .
Driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, and operating while impaired ();
A misdemeanor offense for which sex offender registration is required pursuant to , whether or not the registration period has expired;
Criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult ();
Interfering with access to a medical facility ();
Possession of a pistol by a convicted felon ( [see now ]);
Failure to report child abuse ();
Refusal or neglect of guardian to provide for child under 14 years of age ();
Disorderly conduct (peeping tom) ();
Misdemeanor sexual abuse ();
Violating the Sex Offender Registration Act ();
Violating child labor laws (§§ through );
Election/Petition fraud ();
Public assistance fraud (§§ through );
Trademark counterfeiting ();
Attempted trademark counterfeiting (§§ , );
Fraud in the second degree ();
Attempted fraud (§§ , );
Credit card fraud ();
Attempted credit card fraud (, 22-223) [§§ , ];
Misdemeanor insurance fraud ();
Attempted insurance fraud (§§ , , );
Telephone fraud (§§ , );
Attempted telephone fraud (§§ , , );
Identity theft, second degree (§§ , );
Attempted identify theft (§§ , , );
Fraudulent statements or failure to make statements to employee ();
Fraudulent withholding information or failure to supply information to employer ();
Fraud and false statements ();
False statement/dealer certificate ();
False information/registration ();
No school bus driver’s license (18 DCMR § 1305.1);
False statement on Department of Motor Vehicles document (18 DCMR § 1104.1);
No permit — 2nd or greater offense ();
Altered title (18 DCMR § 1104.3);
Altered registration (18 DCMR § 1104.4);
No commercial driver’s license ();
A violation of building and housing code regulations;
A violation of the Public Utility Commission regulations; and
Attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses (§§ , a).
“Minor offense” means a traffic offense, disorderly conduct, or an offense that is punishable by a fine only, excluding any ineligible misdemeanor.
“Public” means any person, agency, organization, or entity other than:
Any court;
Any federal, state, or local prosecutor;
Any law enforcement agency;
Any licensing agency with respect to an offense that may disqualify a person from obtaining that license;
Any licensed school, day care center, before or after school facility or other educational or child protection agency or facility;
Any government employer or nominating or tenure commission with respect to:
Employment of a judicial or quasi-judicial officer; or
Employment at a senior-level, executive-grade government position.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 16-801
What does D.C. Code § 16-801 cover?
Section 16-801 ("Definitions.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 16-801?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 16-801" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 16-801 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.