Being accused of a criminal offense or a traffic or parking offense can be an upsetting and sometimes traumatic experience. The information found here will guide you through the process and clarify court proceedings. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask court personnel for assistance. When calling the Court for information on a specific case or cases, please have your case number(s) readily available along with pen and paper. Court personnel cannot give legal advice.
How to Contact the Court
| Municipal Clerk's Office |
(253) 591-5357
Fax (253) 573-2511 |
| Court Administration |
|
1st floor (Rm 136) Service Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
8th floor (Rm 841) Service Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
General Telephone Service Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - noon
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Pay Citations Online
Address: City of Tacoma Municipal Court
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 841
Tacoma, WA 98402-2181
| NCO Financial Systems, Inc. |
(888) 289-0907 |
| Assistant City Attorney |
(253) 591-5834 |
| Pre-Trial Services |
(253) 798-3478 |
| Department of Assigned Counsel |
(253) 798-6062 |
| Community Service Work Crew |
Pager (253) 552-0345
7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Trust Commerce |
(800) 915-1680 |
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The Tacoma Municipal Court is located in the COUNTY-CITY BUILDING in downtown Tacoma.
From North I-5
1. At Tacoma take the I-705 NORTH/WA-7 SOUTH exit, exit number 133, towards CITY CENTER.
2. Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp.
3. Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
4. Merge onto I-705 N.
5. Take the A ST. exit on the left towards CITY CENTER.
6. Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
7. Merge onto S 15TH ST.
8. Turn RIGHT onto TACOMA AVE S.
From South I-5
1. At Tacoma take the I-705 NORTH/WA-7 SOUTH exit, exit number 133, towards CITY
CENTER/MT. RAINIER.
2. Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp.
3. Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
4. Merge onto I-705 N.
5. Take the A ST. exit on the left towards CITY CENTER.
6. Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
7. Merge onto S 15TH ST.
8. Turn RIGHT onto TACOMA AVE S.
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The Municipal Court hears cases involving alleged violations of City of Tacoma ordinances including, but not limited to:
- criminal charges (domestic violence offenses, assault, theft, drug offenses, etc.),
- criminal traffic offenses (driving under the influence, physical control, reckless driving, etc.), and
- traffic and parking infractions.
The Municipal Court does not hear small claims or civil cases. These cases are heard by the Pierce County District Courts. Pierce County District Court #1 is located on the sixth floor of the County-City Building, telephone number (253) 798-7474.
The Municipal Court does not hear requests for protection orders. These cases are heard by the Pierce County Superior Court's Domestic Violence Office located on the first floor of the County-City Building, telephone number (253) 798-7455.
The Municipal Court does not hear divorce or child custody cases. These cases are heard by the Pierce County Superior Court located in the County-City Building, telephone number (253) 798-7455.
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Victims and witnesses may be subpoenaed to appear in court to testify. In some cases the Judge may order the defendant to pay restitution for damages. Victims seeking restitution must submit documentation (bills and/or repair estimates) regarding damages to the Assistant City Attorney's office located on the second floor of the County-City Building, Room 440, or bring them to court on the defendant's scheduled hearing date. Failure to seek restitution in the criminal proceeding does not preclude a victim from pursuing civil remedies.
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Cash bail or a bail bond may be required to be posted before a person can be released from jail pending the disposition of their case. To obtain a bail bond, a person must contact a bail bond company. If the bail is set as cash only, the person must post the cash amount set. Cash bail or a bail bond are generally maintained until the conclusion of the defendant's case. A person posting cash bail may request that the cash bail be returned at any of the defendant's scheduled court hearings. Depending on the circumstances, the Judge may or may not exonerate or return the cash bail.
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Fines and court costs assessed by the court are due and payable at the time of the court hearing. Payment arrangements are available and can be made with the approval of the Judge. Approval may be granted to pay the fines and costs over a period of time (a deferred payment plan), by community service, or on the City of Tacoma work crew. When fines and costs are not paid, the court can take one or more of the following actions depending on the type of charges involved:
- send the case to a collection agency;
- order a warrant for the defendant's' arrest; and/or
- notify the Department of Licensing, who in turn may suspend the defendant's driver's license or prevent the renewal of the defendant's vehicle registration.
Payments to the court can be mailed to the address above, paid at the County-City Building, Room 841 (8th floor) or Room 136 (1st floor), or pay online. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Tacoma Municipal Court with the defendant's case number written on the face of the document.
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Defendants charged with a criminal or criminal traffic offense carrying the possibility of a jail sentence have the right to be represented by an attorney. Defendants who cannot pay for an attorney may be eligible to have a public defender assigned to their case. At the arraignment hearing, defendants must ask for a public defender and the Judge may refer the defendant to Pre-Trial Services for an indigency screening to determine the defendant's eligibility.
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Foreign language interpreters are available for non-English speaking defendants during court hearings. The court uses the AT&T Language Line Service for foreign language assistance outside the courtroom. Sign interpreters are available for court proceedings for hearing impaired defendants. Requests for an interpreter may be made by contacting the court prior to the court hearing.
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All court facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Amplified hearing devices are available for the hearing impaired.
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For information concerning wedding ceremonies performed by Tacoma Municipal Court Judges, please call (253) 591-5357 option 3.
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