- Home
- Government
- Courts & Law
- Superior Court
Superior Court
-
A New Look to Jury Duty (Video Series #3)
Posted on June 19, 2020
-
Court Operations Continue During COVID-19 (video series #2)
Posted on June 19, 2020
-
Keeping the Courthouse Clean and Safe (Video Series #1)
Posted on June 10, 2020
-
Pierce County Juror Appreciation (Stay Home, Stay Healthy Edition)
Posted on May 18, 2020
COVID-19 RESPONSE
PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT REMAINS OPEN
Pierce County Superior Court remains open and committed to providing essential services in a manner that is as safe and responsible as possible.
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).
******************************************************************************************************
For the most recent and detailed information, see the Emergency Temporary Procedures for Commissioner Hearings, amended as of July 13, 2020.
*******************************************************************************************************
This information is in effect as of July 13, 2020 and is subject to change based on Orders from Governor Inslee’s and Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephens. Please check back periodically.
Proposed Orders must be emailed or faxed to the Commissioner Services Department one court day before the hearing. They should be in Word format.
With certain exceptions, the Commissioners use Zoom as the platform for remote hearings. When the use of Zoom is not technologically feasible for a litigant, alternative technology shall be used, such as CourtCall or courtroom telephone.
All parties and attorneys shall obtain a LINX account via the Superior Court Clerk’s Office. LINX account fees are currently waived for self-represented parties.
For Show Cause/Family Law Motions: There are no personal appearances at the courthouse. All hearings will be conducted by remote video conferencing using Zoom. The court will serve as host and send an email invite to the parties (all parties should make sure the court file includes the party’s email address and telephone number). The Zoom hearing will be streamed live by YouTube, unless the Commissioner determines otherwise.
For Uncontested Dissolutions: There are no personal appearances at the courthouse. The Commissioner will make decisions based on the documents in the LINX court file, the proposed orders, and Interrogatories. Submit proposed final pleadings prior to the day of hearing to Commissioner Services via email or fax. (253) 798-6897.
For Minor Settlements: Attendance of minor, parents, Settlement Guardian ad Litem and petitioning attorney are waived if agreed signed orders are emailed to Commissioner Services 1 court day prior to the scheduled hearing. If matter is contested, all parties shall appear as noted above via Zoom.
For Unlawful Detainers or Evictions: All these cases, with limited exceptions, are currently suspended by order of the Governor.
For Guardianship/Probate: There are no personal appearances at the courthouse. All hearings will be conducted by remote video conferencing using Zoom. The court will serve as host and send an email invite to the parties.
For Domestic Violence/Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders:
- If requesting an Initial Order:
- For intimate partner relationships, (spouses, former spouses, persons who have a child in common or persons who have or did have a dating relationship), you may contact the Family Justice Center, (253) 798-4166 or the YWCA, (253) 383-2593, to make the request. If they are unable to consider the request, call the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, (253) 798-8827. When you have completed the petition, call the Clerk’s office at (253) 798-8827 to process the petition.
- For non-intimate partner relationships, call the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, (253) 798-8827. When you have completed the petition, call the Clerk’s office at (253) 798-8827 to process the petition.
- After the paperwork is submitted, the Petitioner will be telephonically interviewed by the Ex Parte Commissioner.
- To appear at a Final Hearing: There are no personal appearances at the courthouse. All hearings shall be conducted by telephone or video conference, including Zoom and CourtCall. No live streaming of any hearings will occur.
- If by Zoom, the court will serve as host and send an invite to the parties (all parties should make sure the court file includes the party’s email address and telephone number). If by courtcall, parties will make advance arrangements with Court Call to appear telephonically. Call (888) 882-6878.
For Ex Parte: There are no personal appearances at the courthouse. For emergency or immediate matters only, the hearings will be handled by telephone or video conferencing using Zoom. Notification to other party is still required unless waived by the Commissioner. Contact Commissioner Services, (253) 798-6890, to arrange the hearing.
For Ex Parte Electronic Mail: Electronic mail is for all agreed upon or unopposed orders or motions. (See list.) Those documents must be sent to the Superior Clerk’s Office. Original wills must be submitted to the Superior Clerk’s Office in advance.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION and WEBSITES:
Pierce County Superior Court Webpage
Commissioner Services:
- email: SUPCSD@piercecountywa.gov
- Fax number: (253) 798-6897
Court Call: (888) 882-6878
Interrogatories with Declaration
Washington State Pattern forms
JUROR REPORTING BEGINS MONDAY, JULY 6
By order of the Washington Supreme Court all jury trials were suspended until after July 6, 2020. That time has now come. Therefore, on July 6, 2020 the Pierce County Superior Court and Jury Administration is reopening to jury trials.
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- 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 under Reasons to Be Excused From Jury Duty
- FAX 253-798-7057 or Email to pcjuryoffice@piercecountywa.gov .
- Obtain a letter from your health care provider to be excused and then email us the letter at pcjuryoffice@piercecountywa.gov before your report date.
- For work related excusals, contact your HR/Pay Roll for excusal letters to be mailed, FAX or emailed.
Please wear a mask on the first day you check-in. You will be provided masks for use while on jury duty. KN95’s will be available but not required and a cloth mask is acceptable.
Masks are required at all times during jury service unless eating, drinking or responding to direct questions.
We have secured the Tacoma Amory building located between the County City Building and the jury parking garage on 10th and Yakima. We are bringing in several waves of jurors in smaller groups, please double check the correct time when your group number has been requested to appear.
The jury entry door is located on the corner of 11th and Yakima. Once you arrive and park in our garage or the Blue Parking Lot in front of the Jail, walk south to the corner of 11th and Yakima where you will come through security into the building. Please keep 6’ between jurors while waiting in line. There will be markings on the ground to assist you.
Once inside, you will go through security, receive a health screening and then scan-in with jury staff. You will then enter a very large 22,000 sq. ft. auditorium that will safely seat 190 jurors at a time. We will have Social Distancing marks indicating where to stand or sit.
Once you are seated you will have orientation. You will then be assigned to a case, directed where to line-up and proceed with an escort to court which is down the hill to the County City Building. You will be escorted back up to the Armory once you are released from your courtroom. There will be cleanings throughout the day.
Please plan to keep your belongings with you at all times.
Emergency Orders
This matter comes before the Court on the COVID-19 public health emergency in Washington State.
Emergency Order #2 - Public health emergency order regarding jury trials. (3/13/20)
Emergency Order #3 - Public health emergency order regarding Remann Hall operations. (3/17/20)
Emergency Order #4 - Public health emergency order regarding operations. (3/18/20)
Emergency Order #5 - Public health emergency order regarding operations. (3/17/20)
Emergency Order #8 - Public health emergency order regarding Western State Hospital operations. (3/23/20)
Emergency Order #10 - Public health emergency order regarding all Civil Protection Orders (3/24/20)
Emergency Order #11 - Public health emergency order regarding adult criminal proceedings. (3/24/20)
Emergency Order #13 - Public health emergency order regarding protocol amendments. (3/26/20)
Emergency Order #15 - Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Extension of Supreme Court Orders (5/13/2020)
Emergency Order #16 - Public Health Emergency Order regarding Resumption of Jury Trials (5/22/2020)
Emergency Order #17 - Prohibiting Recording or Videoing of Remote Proceedings (6/24/2020)
Emergency Temporary Procedures for all Civil Protection Orders (4/24/20, 7/13/20)
Emergency/Temporary procedures for civil commissioner courtrooms at the County City Building. (3/18/20, 4/6/20, 5/18/20, 7/13/20)
Superior Court Press Release - COVID-19 Response dated March 17th, 2020
Contact Us
-
Superior Court Administration
930 Tacoma Ave South
Room 334 County-City Bldg.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-3654