Superior Court

Current Court Operations
Court Commis-sioner Hearings
Jury Information
Emergency Orders

The Court continues to operate pursuant to the Emergency Orders issued in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

All orders are extended through at least May 4, 2020, and extended to comply with the Governor’s phase-in programs releasing the Stay Home-Stay Healthy orders (see Emergency Order #14 and Emergency Order #15)
All criminal trials are suspended until at least July 6, 2020, and 6-person civil jury trials will not commence until on or after September 1, 2020, and 12-person civil jury trials will not commence until on or after least November 1, 2020. (see Emergency Order #5 and Emergency Order #15 and Emergency Order #16)
In-custody criminal arraignments, bail hearings, and in-custody pleas and sentences will still occur (see Emergency Order #5 and Emergency Order #15)
Civil bench trials may occur with the agreement of all parties and the permission of the Judicial Department. All attorneys, parties and witnesses must appear remotely via phone or video. Contact your assigned Judicial Department if you are interested in holding a bench trial with these conditions (see Emergency Order #4, Emergency Order #5, and Emergency Order #15 )
Parties may still note and file civil motions, which will be considered on the pleadings only, unless telephonic argument is requested by the Court. Motions must still be confirmed. Proposed orders must be included with each motion. (see Emergency Order #4 )
Domestic Violence, Vulnerable Adult, and other Protection Orders: No personal appearances. (see Emergency Order #4 and Emergency Order #10 ). To request an Initial Order for Intimate Partner relationships, call Family Justice Center (253) 798-4166 or the YWCA (253) 383-2593. If they are unable to help, and for non-intimate partner relationships, call the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, (253) 798-8827. More detailed and additional information available on the Commissioners’ page. Once paperwork is complete, the Petitioner will be telephonically interviewed by the Ex Parte Commissioner. To appear at a Final Hearing, arrangements must be made in advance with Court Call to appear telephonically, (888) 882-6878.
Court Commissioner Hearings: Please see the Emergency Temporary Procedures for Commissioner Hearings. Generally, all properly scheduled family and civil hearings continue to be held, without oral argument or via remote appearances. Unlawful detainers/evictions have been suspended by the Governor’s orders. Most ex parte matters may be submitted electronically with the clerk’s office. Ex parte mail fees are temporarily waived (see Emergency Order #4 and Emergency Order #10 ) Latest updates on the Commissioners’ page, or call (253) 798-6890.
Remote proceedings are not to be recorded by audio or video or photographed (see Emergency Order #17)
Pierce County Juvenile Court is conducting limited proceedings using remote appearances (see Emergency Order #7 )
Western State Hospital is conducting proceedings using remote appearances (see Emergency Order #8 ) and Joel’s Law Petitions continue to be processed by the Commissioner at WSH.

All Emergency Orders are on the "Emergency Order" tab on this page. Please continue to check the Pierce County Superior Court website frequently as the Emergency Orders are subject to change and additional Emergency Orders may be issued.

Questions about individual cases should be directed to the assigned Judicial Department, Criminal Division Presiding Judge (for unassigned criminal cases) or the Presiding Judge (for unassigned civil cases).