District Of Columbia § 22-4131 - Definitions.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 22-4131 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 22-4131. Definitions.
22-4131For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
“Actual innocence” or “actually innocent” means that the person did not commit the crime of which he or she was convicted.
“Biological material” means the contents of a sexual assault examination kit, bodily fluids (including, but not limited to, blood, semen, saliva, and vaginal fluid), hair, skin tissue, fingernail scrapings, bone, or other human DNA source matter which apparently derived from the perpetrator of a crime or, under circumstances that may be probative of the perpetrator’s identity, apparently derived from the victim of a crime. This definition applies equally to material that is present on other evidence, including, but not limited to, clothing, ligatures, bedding or other household material, drinking cups, or cigarettes, and to material that is recovered from evidence and thereafter maintained separately from that evidence, including, but not limited to, on a slide, on a swab, in cuttings, or in scrapings.
“Crime of violence” means the crimes cited in .
“DNA” means deoxyribonucleic acid.
“DNA testing” means forensic DNA analysis of biological material.
“Law enforcement agencies” means the Metropolitan Police Department, the Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia, prosecutors, or any other governmental agency that has the authority to investigate, make arrests for, or prosecute or adjudicate District of Columbia criminal or delinquency offenses. The term “law enforcement agencies” shall include law enforcement agencies that have entered into cooperative agreements with the Metropolitan Police Department pursuant to , to the extent the law enforcement agency is acting pursuant to such a cooperative agreement.
“New evidence” means evidence that:
Was not personally known and could not, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been personally known to the movant at the time of the trial or the plea proceeding;
Was personally known to the movant at the time of the trial or the plea proceeding, but could not be produced at that time because:
The presence or the testimony of a witness could not be compelled or, in the exercise of reasonable diligence by the movant, otherwise obtained; or
Physical evidence, in the exercise of the movant’s reasonable diligence, could not be obtained; or
Was obtained as a result of post-conviction DNA testing.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 22-4131
What does D.C. Code § 22-4131 cover?
Section 22-4131 ("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 § 22-4131?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 22-4131" (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 § 22-4131 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.