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1. How do I find out what courtroom my hearing will be in?

There are public monitors located on the first and second floors of the County-City Building listing the names of the parties named in the court cases scheduled for hearing that day. Find the last name of one of the parties on the case, or for confidential cases, the case number. The monitors display the courtroom number where the hearing is being held.

2. I received a subpoena to appear in court as a witness. Where do I go?

If the subpoena was issued by the Prosecutor's Office and the case was continued or has settled go to Room 946. The subpoena will almost always say to appear in Courtroom 250, 260 or 270 (trials are never held in these courtrooms). For civil cases report to the courtroom listed on the subpoena and wait in the hallway, do not enter the courtroom. If there is no courtroom listed check with the Calendar Coordinator in Administration (Room 334) for assignment. Criminal cases are assigned to a trial court through the Criminal Division Presiding Judge, for these cases please go to Room 247.

3. I am a witness for a trial. How do I get my parking validated?

For Superior Court, the Prosecutor's Office validates for victims and witnesses they subpoena.
For District Court, the witness should report to the Misdemeanor division on the first floor by the Clerk's Office.

For Tacoma Municipal Court go to the City Attorney's office located on the 4th floor of the CCB.

Defendants and spectators' parking will not be validated.

DAC WITNESSES ARE NOT VALIDATED FOR THEIR PARKING, they receive a witness fee and mileage only.

4. I missed or can't make my court date. What do I do?

A bench warrant may have been issued. You need to contact Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) or your attorney to set up a hearing. If a warrant was issued, the 'How to Quash a Warrant' form is available from Criminal Administration (Room 247).

5. My friend is sick and can't come to court. What should they do?

They should contact their attorney.  They are required to appear. If they do not appear, a warrant may be issued.

6. I need to set a date for a judge to marry me, how do I do this?

Administration has a webpage which will give the names and phone numbers of all Superior Court Judges and Commissioners that perform weddings. They will need to contact the judge directly in order to set the date and find out what the fee is. This number is extension 253-798-5463, this is an inside line only. A Marriage Ceremony Providers list is posted on the web and can also be picked up in Room 334.

7. I need to pay my court fines. Where do I go?

For Superior Court -the Clerk's Office located in room 110 collects fines.

For District Court- go to room 239 on the 2nd floor of the County-City Building.

For Municipal Court- go to the 1st floor Payment Counter or Room 841 on the 8th floor of the County-City Building.

8. My friend is scheduled for a jury trial today. Where will it be?

Check the public monitors on the first and second floors for the assigned courtroom number.  The trial may still be assigned to the Criminal Division Presiding Judge (CDPJ).  You may need to go to Courtroom 250 to see if/when the case is assigned to another courtroom for trial.  

9. I have a problem with animal control - what do I do?

For any non-emergency animal control question/concern, please call (253) 798-PETS (7377).

Animal Licenses: Auditor’s Office at the Pierce County Annex (253) 798-7427, Option 3

10. How do I appeal a Misdemeanor Offense?

Go to the Clerk’s Office (Room 110) in the CCB to file a new civil case and pay the necessary fee for a criminal appeal

11. How do I file a complaint?

Against a Guardian ad Litem: Completed case: The individual must be a party to the case in order to file a complaint. Using the form available in Room 334, file the completed form and any supporting documents to the Calendar Coordinator in Room 334. The complaint will be reviewed by the GAL Committee. Open case: complaints that arise during the case should be addressed by the Commissioner or Judge hearing the case. 

Against an Attorney: Direct any complaint against an attorney to: Washington State Bar Association 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98121-2330 (206) 727-8208 (800) 945-9722

12. How can I get a copy of an oath?

Judicial Oaths – originals filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in Olympia, request a copy by mail: Secretary of State, Elections Division
PO Box 40229
Olympia, WA 98504-0229
Copies are also filed with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.

Court Commissioners/Pro-tem Commissioners: Originals are filed with the Clerk’s Office, Room 110

13. How do I change my name?

Name changes are completed by Pierce County District Court, Room 239 of the County City Building. Forms can also be completed on their website. 

14. How do I make a Public Disclosure Request?

Requests for information must be filed in Room 334 of the County City Building on the court’s request form.

15. How do I request a court transcript?

For a transcript from a Commissioner hearing, go to Room 110 to request a copy of the disc. Requests for a transcript from a Judicial Department must be made through the Court Reporter. If that reporter is no longer with the court, the request can be made through Superior Court Administration.