Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

District of Columbia Code Division IV. Criminal Law and Procedure and Prisoners. § 22-3705. Attorney General civil enforcement.

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The Attorney General may, irrespective of any criminal prosecution, the result of any criminal prosecution, or any cause of action brought pursuant to § 22-3704, bring, in the name of the District of Columbia, a civil action for appropriate relief whenever any person, whether or not acting under color of law:

(1) Commits a bias-related crime; or

(2) Through any act of violence, force, fraud, or intimidation:

(A) Interferes or attempts to interfere with an individual's exercise of any right secured by the United States Constitution or District law; or

(B) Deprives any individual of the equal protection of the United States Constitution or District law.

(b) In the course of an investigation to determine whether to seek relief under this section, the Attorney General may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, require sworn written responses to written questions, examine an individual under oath, and compel production of records, books, papers, contracts, and other documents and materials, subject to the procedures in §§ 1-301.88d and 1-301.88e.

(c) Appropriate relief under this section may include:

(1) Injunctive relief;

(2) Actual or nominal damages for economic or non-economic loss, including damages for emotional distress;

(3) Punitive damages in an amount to be determined by a jury or a court sitting without a jury, which may include treble damages for any economic or non-economic loss the person suffered;

(4) Reasonable attorneys' fees and costs;

(5) A civil penalty of up to $10,000 per act giving rise to a cause of action under subsection (a) of this section; or

(6) Any other relief which the court determines proper.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - District of Columbia Code Division IV. Criminal Law and Procedure and Prisoners. § 22-3705. Attorney General civil enforcement. - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/dc/division-iv-criminal-law-and-procedure-and-prisoners/dc-code-sect-22-3705/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard