1. Is there a special form to schedule a criminal hearing?
Yes. A Scheduling Order form is used. The form can be obtained in Superior Court Administration, Room 247, County-City Building, Tacoma.
2. How soon can I schedule a hearing?
At least five (5) court days' notice must be given to all parties. Some motions require 2 to 3 weeks notice to all parties.
3. Where do I get criminal hearing dates approved?
Superior Court Administration, Room 247 of the County-City Building. Any Differentiated Case Management (DCM) staff or the judicial department assigned to the case can help you schedule a proceeding date.
4. When the prosecuting attorney announces 'No charges filed- final' or No charges filed- pending ( NCF'd)', what does that mean?
The Prosecutor's Office is not going to file charges in Superior Court at this time. Charges may be filed in either Municipal Court or District Court. The defendant will be released between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. that day and could be subpoenaed by either court should charges be filed at a later date.
5. If an inmate is being released from jail either on personal recognizance or bail being posted, what time will the inmate be released?
Sometime between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
6. Will I be able to see an in-custody defendant at a pre-trial conference or omnibus hearing?
Defendants do not make an appearance in front of the judge for a pre-trial conference. It is an informal conference with their attorney to discuss further action on the case. On occasion, a defendant will appear before a Judge for an omnibus hearing.
7. My friend was arrested last night, when and where will he/she go to court?
If he/she was arrested for a felony, Superior Court arraignments are held at either 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. in one of the Criminal Division courts located on the 2nd floor in the County-City Bldg. To determine if he/she will be seen at 11:00am or 1:30pm. You can check for information on the LINX web page, after 10:30am under 'Calendars' or search by their name under 'Search'. If you cannot find his/her name on the docket, ask one of the staff members in Room 247 or call the Prosecutor's Office.
8. How can a defendant obtain a copy of the court paperwork from the sentencing hearing?
A copy of the Judgment and Sentence may be obtained from the Clerk's Office, Room 110. There will be a fee to obtain a copy.
9. I am a victim. I want to drop the charges and see the Judge. What do I do?
Go to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office Room 946 in the County-City building and speak with the Victim's Advocate who is assigned to your case. You may also call 253-798-7400.
10. How do I go in earlier than my scheduled start of my jail sentence?
You will need to contact your lawyer to have your lawyer set this up.
11. Where do I go to get bail money returned?
If a person has posted cash bail and no charges are filed (NCF), The Prosecutors Office sends an e-mail to the Sheriff's Department. The person who posted the bail will need to contact the sheriff's department on the first floor of the County-City building where they will be issued a check.
If the Sheriff's Department does not recieve an e-mail from the Prosecutors Office, the funds will not be released. Or if the person who posted the bail does not come to the Sheriff's Department the check will be sent to the person by mail.
Once the case has been charged and assigned a cause number, the bail money is automatically sent to the Clerk's Office. Once the case is closed and the Judgement and Sentence has been filed; the person seeking refund of the bail should go to the Judgements section of the Clerk's Office room 110.
12. Where and when can I take clothes to a defendant for trial?
Take the clothes to the fourth floor of the jail between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. the day of the trial.
13. Where and what is DAC?
Department of Assigned Counsel - 949 Market Street, Suite 334.
14. Where and what is DOC?
Department of Corrections- Main office is located on 9th and Tacoma Avenue across the street from McDonald's.
15. How do I get a no-contact order removed?
To obtain a packet or to get information regarding the process you will need to contact the Law Library on the first floor of the Counry-City building.
16. How do I get a conviction off my record?
To obtain a packet or to get information regarding the process you will need to contact the Law Library on the first floor of the County-City building.
17. Who do I contact about setting up community service that was ordered by the court?
Contact your assigned Community Corrections Officer. If you do not have an assigned Community Corrections Officer you may still contact Department of Corrections for a list of approved agencies.
18. What is a pre-trial conference?
Informal hearing held by attorneys and the defendant only. In custody defendant(s) will not appear in court. If you want to know dates that have been set for a particular case, click here to obtain current scheduled hearing information or contact the court at 253-798-2988.
19. What is an omnibus hearing?
An omnibus hearing is like a pre-trial conference but the attorney, prosecutor and defendant will discuss various elements of the case and decide whether or not they need to set up any motions or a plea date. It is possible for the parties to appear before the Court.
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