Juror Alert
- COVID-19 RESPONSE
- SCAM WARNINGS
- SNOW / WEATHER DELAYS
- PROHIBITED ITEMS
- OTHER COURTS IN PIERCE COUNTY
Juror Alert
The Pierce County Superior Court sincerely appreciates all who take the time to fulfill their jury duty responsibilities. Trial by jury is a fundamental constitutional right. Consequently, without jurors, justice is denied. In times of crisis it is as critical as ever that the justice system not fail its citizens. Even with the concerns with the Covid 19 virus jury trials must go forward.
Rest assured that we do not ask our jurors to be submitted to preventable health risks. The Pierce County Superior Court will take every responsible action to keep our jurors safe. We are following the Tacoma- Pierce County Health Department guidelines and best practices for COVID-19.
Do not come to jury duty if you are showing symptoms of coronavirus or you have been in contact with someone who is currently ill, or you have a cough, shortness of breath or a fever. If any of these concerns are applicable to you, you are instructed as follows:
- Jurors not assigned a department should call Jury Administration at (253)798-7782 and follow the instructions on the recording.
- Jurors assigned to a department should call the number provided by the judicial assistant.
You will find all the information about excusal or postponements on the home page for Pierce County Jury Duty.
- FAX 253-798-7057 or Email to [email protected] .
- Obtain a letter from your health care provider to be excused and then email us the letter at [email protected] before your report date.
For work related excusals, contact your HR/Pay Roll for excusal letters to be mailed, FAX or emailed.
Thank you in advance for your service.
Scams that have been attempted on Jurors:
Pierce County Superior Court – Jury Administration is receiving reports of individuals trying to scam people into thinking they missed jury service.
The court will never reach out to you about missing jury service and would not demand money from you.
If you have sent money to the scammers please contact your bank immediately and file a police report with your local police department.
If you have received a call, do not provide money to the scammers.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pierce County Jury Administration at 253 798 7606 or [email protected]
If you are contacted by someone attempting to get money from you related to Jury service contact your local law enforcement or the Pierce County Sheriff at (253) 798-4722.
Most of these have been tried in other states, but some are local. Do not give personal information, banking information or money to any of these callers. Contact the named court directly or law enforcement.
Pierce County Jury Scams
Pierce County residents have received calls demanding a fine by claiming the resident missed jury duty. The caller(s) claimed to be a employee with the sheriff's office and demanded as much as $1,000. Pierce County does not call to demand a penalty for failure to appear for Jury duty, so if you receive a call like this contact your local law enforcement agency or The Pierce County Sheriff's Department at (253) 798-4722.
Seattle Jury Scam
At least two Seattle residents received the threatening calls from a man identifying himself as a lieutenant for the “Seattle Federal Warrant Division.“ The caller claimed that a warrant had been issued for failure to appear for jury duty and demanded payment of an immediate $500 fine.
These calls are bogus.
For the full story
Thurston County Scam warning
For full details
Jury Duty Used in Kitsap County Phone Scam
Kitsap County residents were hit with calls demanding that they pay a "fine" for failure to respond to a Jury Summons. This was not Kitsap County calling, it was fraud. Pierce County does not phone to demand fines for failure to respond to a Jury Summons.
Guam Issues Juror Scam Warning
On August 19, 2013 the District Court of Guam issued a press release notifying the public that,
“in various parts of the United States, citizens are being targeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts. In the calls, the threat of a fine for evading jury service is used to coerce those called into providing confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud.”http://news.uscourts.gov/juror-scams-reported-3-us-court-districts
The press release suggests that persons receiving suspect calls should report the matter to the Clerk of Court's office of the District Court of Guam. The U.S. Courts website issued a press release on August 21, 2013 that three U.S. Districts have reported telephonic juror scams.
Cincinnati.com reported a jury duty scam on April 3, 2013 . Campbell Circuit Clerk Taunya Nolan indicated that she had received complaints from five people stating that they received text or email messages informing them that they failed to appear for jury duty. She advised residents that if they get this type of communication asking for money to contact law enforcement officers.
In the past there was also a scam going on in several states where jurors have been contacted by phone with a request for their social security number. Pierce County Superior Court staff do not ask for social security numbers and you should not give this information to anyone even if called and asked for it by someone claiming to represent the court.
A caller has telephoned a number of residents and indicated that the person receiving the call has missed jury duty. The caller offers to cancel an arrest warrant for payment made by credit/debit card or bank information. Pierce County Superior Court does not do this. If you receive a call like this do not give the caller any credit card or bank information and contact law enforcement. Another twist on this scam has a text message is sent to jurors, which states that the juror has a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty. They are directed to call a specific telephone number and pay $500 in order to get the warrant dismissed.
Better Business Bureau identified a possible jury service SCAM. The message informs people they are facing a $500 fine and a 30 day jail sentence. It is unclear whether these text messages are merely a joke or an attempt to commit some type of fraud.
West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw issued a press release on August 21, 2012 warning residents about a jury duty scam. He said, 'Victims report that an automated message claims there is a warrant for their arrest, and threatens imprisonment for a failed jury duty appearance. The fraudulent phone calls claim to originate from a federal or state court, and represent that consumers may avoid jail time if they pay a fine with their credit cards over the phone.' He urged residents to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division immediately if they have been a victim of the scam.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Pierce County Superior Court administration by phone at (253) 798-3654 or visit the:
County-City Building
Room 334
930 Tacoma Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Weather Conditions
Use the following guidelines for whichever scenario describes your situation.
Unassigned Jurors
Jurors on call but not assigned to a specific court department or seated in a trial, use the following guideline:
- If Tacoma School District #10 schools or schools in your district are closed due to adverse weather conditions, call before reporting. Call (253) 798-7782 after 7:45 a.m. for tape-recorded instructions on how to proceed.
Assigned Jurors
Jurors assigned to a specific court department or seated on a trial, use the following guideline:
- If Tacoma School District #10 schools or schools in your district are closed due to adverse weather conditions, follow the instructions provided by the judge by calling (253) 798-7782 after 7:45 a.m. If the judicial department instructions are not available at the time of your call, leave your name and the number where you can be contacted as soon as information is available.
The following items are prohibited in the while on jury duty:
- Weapons of any kind
- Items with any type of blade
- Heavy metal belt buckles
- Belts with a lot of metal
- Silverware - please bring plastic
- Scissors - all sizes
- Knitting Needles
- Crochet Hooks
- P 38 military can openers
- Acids, corrosives, combustible liquids, radioactive items or fireworks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Non prescription drugs
- Devices used for physical restraint
- Masks or disguises (Appropriate face coverings as recommended by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department are permitted)
- Construction tools
- Signs or banners with sticks or pipes
Acceptable With Limitations:
- Prescription drugs must be in the prescription bottle with the juror's name on the label
- Open beverages like coffee or soda - you will be required to take a drink while at security, before you are allowed to enter the Courthouse.
- Factory sealed beverages are ok.
- Medically required canes are fine, but they will be scanned at Security
For more information, please review the County's Security Screening Guidelines.
Here is a list of other Courts located in Pierce County:
Gig Harbor
Auburn Municipal-South Division
Pacific/Algona Municipal Court
Eatonville Municipal Court
Orting Municipal Court
Buckley Municipal Court
Puyallup Municipal Court
Milton Municipal Court
Fircrest Municipal Court
Lakewood Municipal Court
Fife Municipal Court
Sumner Municipal Court
US District Court