Pretrial Services

Screenings for court-appointed attorneys:

Pretrial Services completes indigency screenings for court-appointed attorneys for people charged with criminal matters and respondents of contempt motions in Pierce County Superior Court and criminal matters in Pierce County District Court. To be screened for a court-appointed attorney, please review this information and then contact 253-798-3781. 

Pretrial Services staff are not attorneys. Confidentiality does not apply. Information reported to Pretrial Services will be communicated to the court and legal parties. 

Please visit Superior Court's website for a list of hearings and what to expect at each hearing. 

Contact Us

  1. 930 Tacoma Ave S Room 108
    Tacoma, WA 98402
    Phone: 253-798-3781
    Text only: 253-777-0639

    Office Hours (excluding government holidays)
    Monday-Friday
    8:00AM-4:00PM

Pretrial Services Monitoring:

For persons released pending trial in the Pierce County Superior Court, Pretrial Services provides monitoring through scheduled office and telephonic appointments, court and appointment calls, text messages, and/or email reminders, transportation support for court appearances, and referrals to community agencies for voluntary services.

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What Happens Next?

After you've been referred to Pretrial Services, you need to report in person to 930 Tacoma Ave S, Room 108 within 24 hours of your release from custody (or the next business day if you were released outside of business hours) or on the same day of your court hearing if it's before 4PM. 

Your First Meeting:

At your first appointment with Pretrial Services, pretrial staff will

  • Review your court order with you,
  • Review your upcoming court dates,
  • Ensure that we have a good telephone number or email address where we can send reminders for upcoming hearings,
  • Inform you of your reporting schedule,
  • Answer any general questions that you may have about what you can expect during the pretrial process. 


Pretrial Services' Responsibilities: 

  • Pretrial Services is responsible for monitoring certain conditions of release as imposed by the court. 
  • Pretrial Services is responsible for notifying the court, prosecuting attorney's office, and your attorney if you are not compliant with the conditions of your release. 
  • Pretrial Services may also inform the court and/or provide you with a report of your positive progress with while pending trial.
  • Pretrial Services will not ask you about your pending case. That is a conversation for you to have with your attorney.

Pretrial Services is here to support you while your case is pending and help address hurdles where possible. Pretrial Services can help you access community-based resources for voluntary services such as: 

  • Substance abuse treatment
  • Employment and educational services
  • Mental health treatment
  • Helping to navigate and address legal responsibilities in other jurisdictions
  • Transportation assistance in the form of bus passes to ensure you're able to attend upcoming court hearings
  • Support in navigating how to reinstate your license. 


Your Responsibilities:

  • KEEP IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY! If you do not have your attorney's contact information, you may call Pretrial Services at 253-798-3781 and we will provide it to you.
  • Attend all court hearings as required and comply with all release conditions.
  • Update Pretrial Services with the best way to contact you, whether that’s by telephone, text app, message phone, or email address. You may call Pretrial Services at 253-798-3781 to update your contact information. 
  • If you have been referred to Pretrial Services and have provided your phone number, you may also text Pretrial Services at 253-777-0639. 
  • If you have been referred to electronic home detention or alcohol monitoring, you need to remain in contact with Friendship Diversion at 253-472-3700 about your device. 
  • If you enter another facility or treatment agency, request that agency contact Pretrial Services or your attorney to let us know about your whereabouts. 
  • If you are participating in any community-based programming, you may want to inform your attorney about your progress.