Superior Court of the District of Columbia
`Civil Division - Small Claims and Conciliation Branch
`510 4th St NW, Room 120, Washington DC 20001
`202-879-1120 | www.dccourts.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case Number: 2024-SCB-002162
`Case Style:
`Ricky Smith v. USA
`
`
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`NOTICE OF CLAIM
`
`INITIAL HEARING NOTICE AND INSTRUCTIONS
`
`You are notified that Plaintiff has made a claim and is requesting judgment against you, as shown by the attached
`Statement of Claim. The Statement of Claim provides the reasons the Plaintiff is seeking a judgment from you. You are
`required to participate in the Initial Hearing at the date and time below.
`
`Initial Hearing Date:
`Thursday, 11/21/2024
`
`Initial Hearing Time:
`9:00 AM
`
`Courtroom Location:
`Remote Courtroom B-119
`
`Please see attached instructions for remote participation.
`
`1) Legal Assistance: The court encourages people to reach out to legal services providers who might answer questions
`or provide free legal representation. For free legal assistance, call the Small Claims Resource Center at (202) 849-
`3608. Court employees are not permitted to give advice on legal questions.
`
`2) Hearing Date: All counsel and unrepresented parties must participate in the hearing at the date and time listed
`above. The judge will establish a schedule and explain what happens next. You may also discuss a possible
`settlement with the other party.
`
`3) Default/Default Judgment: If you, or your attorney, do not appear on the date and time listed above, a default or
`default judgment may be entered against you without any further court hearings.
`
`4) Contact Us: If you have questions about participation in the hearing call the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch at
`202-879-1120. For more information or to live chat, please visit:
`
`https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-10k-or-less.
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`
`
`Zabrina W. Dempson, Clerk of the Court
`Superior Court of the District of Columbia
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`Page 1 of 6
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`Civil Division – Revised July 7, 2023
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`To Join by Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone:
`1) Copy and Paste or Type the link into a web browser and enter the Webex Meeting ID listed below.
`
`Link: dccourts.webex.com/meet/ctbb119
`
`Meeting ID: 129 230 4882
`
`2) When you are ready, click “Join Meeting”.
`3) You will be placed in the lobby until the courtroom clerk gives you access to the hearing.
`
`Or to Join by Phone:
`
`1) Call 202-860-2110 (local) or 844-992-4726 (toll-free)
`2) Enter the Webex Meeting ID listed above followed by “##”
`
`
`Resources and Contact Information:
`
`1) For best practices on how to participate in Webex Meetings, click here
`https://www.webex.com/learn/best-practices.html.
`2) For technical issues or questions, call the Information Technology Division at 202-879-1928 and select
`option 2.
`3) For case questions, call the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch Clerk’s Office at 202-879-1120.
`4) To change your method of hearing participation, visit www.dccourts.gov/hearing-information for
`instructions and forms.
`
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`Page 2 of 6
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`Civil Division – Revised July 7, 2023
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`ACCESSIBILITY AND LANGUAGE ACCESS
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`
`
`Persons with Disabilities:
`If you have a disability as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and you require an
`accommodation, please call 202-879-1700 or email ADACoordinator@dcsc.gov. The D.C. Courts does not
`provide transportation service.
`
`Interpreting and Translation Services:
`The D.C. Courts offers free language access services to people having business with the court who are deaf
`or who are non-English speakers. Parties to a case may request free translations of court orders and other
`court documents. To ask for an interpreter or translation, please contact the Clerk’s Office listed for your
`case. For more information, visit https://www.dccourts.gov/language-access.
`
`Servicios de interpretación y traducción:
`Los Tribunales del Distrito de Columbia ofrecen servicios gratuitos de acceso al idioma a las personas
`sordas o que no hablan inglés que tienen asuntos que atender en el tribunal. Las partes de un caso pueden
`solicitar traducciones gratuitas de las órdenes judiciales y otros documentos del tribunal. Para solicitar un
`intérprete o una traducción, póngase en contacto con la Secretaría de su caso.
`Para más información, visite https://www.dccourts.gov/language-access.
`El acceso al idioma es importante para los Tribunales del Distrito de Columbia. Puede dar su opinión sobre
`los servicios de idiomas visitando https://www.dccourts.gov/services/information-and-resources/interpreting-
`services#language-access.
`
`የቃልና የጽሑፍ ትርጓሜ አገልግሎቶች፡
` የዲ.ሲ ፍርድ ቤቶች መስማት ለተሳናቸውና የእንግሊዝኛ ቋንቋ ተናጋሪ ላልሆኑ በፍርድ ቤቱ ጉዳይ ላላቸው ሰዎች ነጻ የቋንቋ
`ተደራሽነት አገልግሎቶች ያቀርባል። ተከራካሪ ወገኖች የፍርድ ቤት ትእዛዞችና ሌሎች የፍርድ ቤት ሰነዶች በነጻ እንዲተረጎሙላቸው
`መጠየቅ ይችላሉ። የቃል ወይም የጽሑፍ ትርጓሜ ለመጠየቅ እባክዎን በመዝገብዎ የተዘረዘረውን የጸሀፊ ቢሮ (ክለርክ'ስ ኦፊስ)
`ያናግሩ። ለተጨማሪ መረጃ https://www.dccourts.gov/language-access ይጎብኙ።
`የቋንቋ ተደራሽነት ለዲ.ሲ. ፍርድ ቤቶች አስፈላጊ ነው። የቋንቋ አገልግሎቶች በተመለከተ አስተያየትዎን
`https://www.dccourts.gov/services/information-and-resources/interpreting-services#language-access
`በመጎብኘት መስጠት ይችላሉ።
`
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`Civil Division – Revised July 7, 2023
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`Tips for Attending Remote Hearings - Civil Division
`Your court hearing may be held remotely. This means that you will participate by phone or by video
`conference instead of coming to the courthouse. Here are some tips on how to prepare.
`
`How do I know if I have a remote hearing?
`The Court will contact you to tell you that your hearing is remote.
`They may contact you by sending you an email, letter in the mail,
`or by calling you.
`
`How do I take part in a remote hearing?
`The Court will give you step-by-step instructions on how to take
`part in the remote hearing. If you lose your written notice, call the
`Small Claims Clerk’s Office for instructions at:
`
`
`202-879-1120
`
`Is there anything that I should do before
`the day of the hearing?
` Let the court know immediately if you cannot join a hearing
`because you do not have a phone or computer.
`
`Small Claims Clerk’s Office: 202-879-1120
`
` You may want to contact an attorney for legal help.
`
`Small Claims Resource Center: 202-849-3608
`
` You can also find the list of legal services providers at
`www.dccourts.gov/services/represent-yourself by clicking
`on the link that says, "List of Legal Service Providers for
`Those Seeking an Attorney or Legal Advice”.
` Evidence: if you want the judge to review photos or
`documents, ask the judge how to submit your evidence.
` Witnesses: tell the judge if you want a witness to testify at
`your hearing.
` Accommodations & Language Access: let the court know if
`you need an interpreter or other accommodation for your
`hearing.
`
`is
`
`Tips for the Hearing
`Join the hearing a few minutes early!
`
` Charge your computer or phone and make sure you have
`enough minutes to join the call. Find a private and quiet
`space. If possible, be alone in a room during the hearing. Try
`to limit distractions as much as possible. If others are in the
`room with you, ask if they can be quiet during the hearing.
` Mute your microphone when you are not talking. Mute all
`sounds on your phone or computer.
` Say your name before you speak so the record
`clear. Be prepared to identify your role in the
`hearing (e.g., observer, plaintiff, defendant, witness, etc.).
` Speak slowly and clearly so everyone hears what you are
`saying.
` Pause before speaking in case there is a lag. Use a headset
`or headphones if you can. This will free up your hands and
`sound better.
` Try not to talk over anyone else. Only one person can speak
`at a time. If you talk while someone else is talking, the judge
`will not be able to hear you.
` Have all your documents for the hearing in front of you. Have
`a pen and paper to take notes.
`If you are not ready for your hearing or want to speak with an
`attorney, you can ask the judge to postpone your hearing for
`another date.
`If your sound or video freezes during the hearing, use the
`chat feature or call the Clerk's Office to let them know that
`you are having technical issues.
`Special Tips for Video Hearings
`(Click here for more information)
` Download the court’s hearing software, WebEx, in advance
`and do a test run! The Court will provide you with a WebEx
`link in advance of the hearing.
` Set up the camera at eye level. If you are using your phone,
`prop it up so you can look at it without holding it.
` Look at the camera when you speak and avoid moving
`around on the video.
` Wear what you would normally wear to court.
` Sit in a well-lit room with no bright lights behind you.
`If possible, find a blank wall to sit in front of. Remember the
`
`judge will be able to see everything on your screen, so pick a
`location that is not distracting.
`
`
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`Page 4 of 6
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`Civil Division – Revised July 7, 2023
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`District of Columbia Courts
`Tips for Using DC Courts Remote Hearing Sites
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`The DC Courts have remote hearing sites available in various locations in the community to help
`persons who may not have computer devices or internet service at home to participate in scheduled
`remote hearings. The Courts are committed to enhancing access to justice for all.
`
`There are six remote access sites throughout the community which will operate: Monday – Friday,
`8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
`
`
`The remote site locations are:
`
`Remote Site - 4
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`Center
`920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
`Washington, DC 20018
`
`Remote Site - 5
`Reeves Center
`2000 14th Street, NW, 2nd Floor
`Community Room
`Washington, DC 20009
`
`Remote Site - 6
`Reeves Center
`2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 300N
`Office of the Tenant Advocate
`Washington, DC 20009
`*** No walk-ins at this location***
`
`Remote Site - 1
`
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`
`Center
`1215 South Capitol Street, SW
`
`Washington, DC 20003
`
`Remote Site - 2
`
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`Center
`
`1110 V Street, SE
`
`Washington, DC 20020
`
`Remote Site - 3
`
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`Center
`
`118 Q Street, NE
`
`Washington, DC 20002
`
`If you want to use a remote site location for your hearing, call 202-879-1900 or email
`DCCourtsRemoteSites@dcsc.gov at least 24 hours before your hearing to reserve a remote access
`computer station. If you require special accommodations such as an interpreter for your hearing, please call
`202-879-1900 at least 24 hours in advance of your hearing so the Courts can make arrangements.
`*You should bring the following items when you come to your scheduled site location*
`1. Your case number and any hyperlinks provided by the Courts for your scheduled hearing.
`2. Any documents you need for the hearing (evidence), including exhibits, receipts, photos, contracts, etc.
`3. Materials for notetaking, including pen and paper.
`
`
`*Safety and security measures are in place at the remote sites.
`Contact information to schedule your remote access computer station:
`Call: 202-879-1900
`Email: DCCourtsRemoteSites@dcsc.gov
`
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`Page 5 of 6
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`

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`Tribunales del Distrito de Columbia
`Consejos para usar los sitios de audiencia
`remota de los Tribunales de DC
`
`
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`
`
`Los Tribunales de DC disponen de sitios de audiencia remota en distintos centros de la comunidad para
`ayudar a que las personas que no tienen dispositivos informáticos o servicio de Internet en su casa puedan
`participar en audiencias remotas programadas. Los Tribunales honran el compromiso de mejorar el acceso de
`toda la población a la justicia.
`
`En toda la comunidad hay seis sitios de acceso remoto que funcionarán de lunes a viernes, de 8:30 am a 4:00
`pm.
`
`
`
`Los centros de acceso remoto son:
`
`Sitio Remoto - 4
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`Center
`920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
`Washington, DC 20018
`
`Sitio Remoto - 5
`Reeves Center
`2000 14th Street, NW, 2nd Floor
`Community Room
`Washington, DC 20009
`
`
`Sitio Remoto - 1
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`
`Center
`1215 South Capitol Street, SW
`
`Washington, DC 20003
`
`Sitio Remoto - 2
`
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`
`Center
`1110 V Street, SE
`
`Washington, DC 20020
`
`Sitio Remoto - 3
`
`Balance and Restorative Justice
`Center
`
`118 Q Street, NE
`
`Washington, DC 20002
`
`Si desea usar un sitio remoto para su audiencia, llame al 202-879-1900 o envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a
`DCCourtsRemoteSites@dcsc.gov al menos 24 horas antes de la audiencia, para reservar una estación de
`computadora de acceso remoto. Si necesita adaptaciones especiales, como un intérprete para la audiencia, llame
`al 202-879-1900 al menos 24 horas antes de la audiencia para que los Tribunales puedan hacer los arreglos
`necesarios.
`
`*Cuando concurra al sitio programado debe llevar los siguientes artículos*
`
`
`Sitio Remoto - 6
`Reeves Center
`2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 300N
`Office of the Tenant Advocate
`Washington, DC 20009
`*No se puede entrar sin cita previa*
`
`1. Su número de caso y todos los hipervínculos que le hayan proporcionado los
`Tribunales para la audiencia programada.
`2. Cualquier documento que necesite para la audiencia (prueba), incluidos documentos
`probatorios, recibos, fotos, contratos, etc.
`3. Materiales para tomar nota, como papel y lápiz.
`*Los sitios de acceso remoto cuentan con medidas de seguridad y protección.
`
`Información de contacto para programar su estación de computadora de acceso remoto:
`Teléfono: 202-879-1900
`Correo electrónico: DCCourtsRemoteSites@dcsc.gov
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`Page 6 of 6
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