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Washington D.C.'s courts face a severe judge shortage, with 15 of 62 Superior Court seats unfilled and two vacancies on the Court of Appeals. This backlog, stemming from years of unfilled positions and Senate delays in confirming nominees, is causing significant delays in trials, impacting both criminal and civil cases. While the Trump administration has increased law enforcement presence in D.C., the judicial vacancies remain a critical issue, delaying justice and undermining public trust. Proposed legislative solutions, including streamlining the nomination process, are pending.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.