H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse, Superior Court building in Judiciary Square, Washington, D.C.
The H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse is a judicial building on Indiana Avenue in Washington, D.C., with seven floors housing courtrooms and administrative offices. It serves as the main building of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, handling civil, criminal, and family cases.
The building opened in 1976, designed by the firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum to meet the growing demand for court space in the district. It was named after H. Carl Moultrie I, the first Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
The courthouse sits at Judiciary Square, a part of Washington, D.C. shaped by courts and law offices on nearly every side. Lawyers, defendants, and witnesses pass through the entrance hall every day, giving the place a sober, working rhythm.
A security screening is required at the entrance, and some areas may have limited public access depending on ongoing proceedings. Arriving a bit early and checking ahead about visitor rules is a good idea.
The building was renovated while court operations continued without interruption, with construction carefully scheduled around active proceedings. This kind of planning is rare in a courthouse this busy and required close coordination over many years.
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