Pierce County Superior Court Case Search

Pierce County Superior Court cases are maintained in the court clerk's archives as public records. The court clerk's office receives and processes requests submitted in person or through the mail. The public may also use the Request Court Records website to access or request these records online. Each request mode will require some details of the case, such as case number, date of birth, filing date, or names of the parties.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Pierce Superior Court?

The Pierce County Superior Court is a trial-level court with jurisdiction over various subject matters. Requesters may access information about the following cases from the Superior Court records:

• Criminal cases: The Superior Court has jurisdiction to handle criminal felonies. These are serious crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, arson, and manslaughter.
• Civil cases: This court may entertain major civil matters that involve disputed amounts which total up to $25,000. Such cases involve business or interpersonal disputes, which may be contract breaches, professional malpractices, or property disputes.
• Juvenile cases: The Superior Court handles delinquency cases through the Juvenile division. This court division operates specifically for individuals who are considered minors and to protect their identity.
• Family law cases are civil matters that involve divorces, adoptions, child custody, child support, and paternity.
• Probate cases: The probate division focuses on estate administration and reading or contention of Wills. It also handles guardianships of minors and conservatorships.

The Superior Court maintains specialized divisions such as Mental Health and Drug Court. These courts handle cases of care and treatment for offenders with substance abuse or mental health challenges.

Pierce County Superior Court

Pierce County Superior Court is a court first instance. It is the county’s trial-level court, which has a wide subject matter jurisdiction. The Superior Court can handle cases involving family law, probate matters, and major civil and criminal matters. This court conducts trials for fact-finding, issues orders, and determines legal rights and liabilities between parties. In Washington’s judicial hierarchy, the Superior Court is the closest judicial authority to residents. It is an avenue for resolving business and personal disputes as well as enforcing their rights. Pierce County residents may locate this court at:

Pierce County Superior Court
930 Tacoma Ave S #334
Tacoma, Washington 98402
(253) 798-7455

Pierce County Case Lookup

Pierce County court cases are publicly available through the court clerk's or county clerk's office. The public may access court documents such as pleadings, motions, judgments, court dockets, and court calendars using records requests. Here are tips for accessing Pierce County case records:

For online access
The Request Court Records website is a records search platform through which requesters may look up case records. It provides access to certified and non-certified copies of court records. The website also contains a Legal Information Network Exchange webpage where inquirers may use a name or case number to search court records. Requesters generally need not register to use this website. There are also no fees charged for conducting searches, but there are fees charged for copies of records to be made on request. Certified copies will go for $5 for the initial document, while extra pages will cost $1.

For walk-in access
Requesters may access Pierce County case records in person by submitting requests at the courthouse. The court clerk's office is open to the public between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to process records requests. There is no requirement to make prior appointments except where record requests are complex.

There are also public access terminals at the courthouse, which provide self-service options for looking up case information and court dockets. Inquirers may make inquiries or appointments with the court clerk's office by calling (253) 798-7455.

For mail-in access
Pierce County Case records may be accessed and obtained by sending a mail to the court clerk's office describing the records of interest. Pierce County's mailing address is

930 Tacoma Avenue S.,
Room 110,
Washington
98402-2177

Ensure the mail is sent with details of the records inquirers want to access, such as case numbers, names of parties, or filing dates. Mail-in requests may take about a week to process due to the additional time required for delivery. When requesting copies of records, inquirers may be required to pay certain charges and provide identification. It is required to include a self-stamped envelope for a return mail with the requested case documents.

Additional Considerations
If there are specific requests, the clerk's office may be contacted at (253) 798-7455. Third-party websites may also provide alternative access, but inquirers must confirm its authenticity with official records.

Pierce Superior Court Case Search by Name

Name searches are an effective and common option for case record requests. In-person or mail-in requests are submitted with relevant names from the court case records. When submitting names for searches, ensure the spelling is correct and take note of any specific variations for accurate results. Inquirers may further narrow down search results by including more details such as case number, address, or filing date.

Pierce Superior Court Docket Search

Court dockets refer to a timeline of case events and activities containing details such as hearing dates, motions, rulings, and filings. Court dockets will help the public access up-to-date information about court cases, which will aid in facilitating preparation for court appearances. This document may also be used to monitor the progress of a case. Requesters may access court dockets in person by submitting requests at the court clerk’s office or online through the Superior Court's website. Ensure that the request is submitted with further case details, including parties’ names or case numbers.

Lookup Pierce County Superior Court Online

Pierce County Superior Court records are accessible online through official websites like the Request Court Records website and some third-party platforms such as Washingtoncourtrecords.us. These websites may be used to search case documents online, such as motions, court dockets, Calendars, court orders, and pleadings. Requesters must note that third-party records may not be as accurate as official government archives.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

Pierce County Superior Court is a trial court. This court has general jurisdiction to entertain many cases covering various legal areas such as family law, juvenile cases, and criminal and civil matters. The Superior Court is the place where cases are first heard subject to appeal to higher courts such as the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is Washington’s highest appellate court. It reviews legal decisions from lower courts, such as the Pierce County Superior Court, to ensure proper law interpretation. Unlike the Superior Court, this court has statewide jurisdiction. While the Supreme Court is the final judicial authority, its decisions may also be appealed to the US Supreme Court at the national level.