---
title: "Melanie Acuña | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melanie-acu-a-dc-superior-court-magistrate-judge"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Melanie Acuña

Superior Court of the District of Columbia · Magistrate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia
- State: District of Columbia
- Role: Magistrate Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and rebroadcasting

Scope: courtwide

Recording, photographing, or rebroadcasting a remote Superior Court hearing is not allowed.

Evidence excerpt: Audio and video recording, taking pictures of remote hearings, and sharing the live or recorded remote hearing by rebroadcasting, live-streaming, or otherwise are not allowed.

[Hearing Information](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/hearing-information)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/superior-court-judges/acuna-melanie)
- [Official roster](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/superior-court-judges/acuna-melanie)
- [District of Columbia Courts official judicial roster](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/superior-court-judges/acuna-melanie)
- [Hearing Information](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/hearing-information)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Melanie A. Acuña is a Magistrate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court, appointed July 1, 2024, with a background in public defense, housing law, and immigrant services
- Senior Attorney, Legal Counsel for the Elderly (2018–2024): Represented low‐income elderly Washington, D.C. residents facing eviction in the Superior Court’s Landlord–Tenant calendar
- Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Sean D. Wallace, Prince George’s County Circuit Court

### Education

- in Communications & Political Science, Regis College, Massachusetts — B.A.
- J.D., University of the District of Columbia – David A. Clarke School of Law, where she was a Dean’s Fellow, recipient of the David Niblack Criminal Defense Scholarship, and President of the Student Bar Association

### Additional information

- Appointed as a Magistrate Judge by Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring on July 1, 2024
- Judge Acuña had a long career in public service and legal advocacy
- Contract Attorney, Mil Mujeres (nonprofit immigration services for low‐income Latinos)