Graham Court Docket Records
Graham is an unincorporated community in Pierce County with no municipal court. All court docket records for Graham cases are held by Pierce County courts. Misdemeanors and traffic infractions go to Pierce County District Court, and felony cases go to Pierce County Superior Court. This page explains how to search Graham court docket records using the LINX system and the Pierce County District Court records request process.
Graham Overview
No Municipal Court in Graham
Graham is not incorporated as a city or town. It is a census-designated place within Pierce County, which means local government services are delivered at the county level. There is no Graham Municipal Court and no Graham city government to handle court filings. All judicial matters for Graham residents are processed by Pierce County.
All criminal misdemeanor cases and traffic infractions from Graham go to Pierce County District Court. Felony cases go to Pierce County Superior Court. Civil matters, family law cases, probate, and small claims are also handled at the county court level. If you are searching for a case involving someone from Graham, look under Pierce County court records.
Pierce County District Court is the go-to for lower-level cases. The mailing address for records requests is: Pierce County District Court, Attn: Public Records Officer, 930 Tacoma Ave S, Rm 239, Tacoma WA 98402. Phone is (253) 798-7487. Fax is (253) 798-6310.
LINX: Pierce County Superior Court Case Search
The fastest way to look up a Pierce County Superior Court case for Graham is the LINX system. LINX is free for basic searches. Go to linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us and click the Criminal / Civil / Juvenile tab. Enter the case number, or search by plaintiff or defendant name. Optional filters let you narrow results by filing year and case type.
LINX is best for felony criminal cases, civil matters over $100,000, family law, and probate. Case summaries, party information, and docket entries appear in the results. Document downloads may have fees depending on the type of record. LINX is limited to Superior Court cases and does not cover District Court records.
If you are searching for a misdemeanor case, infraction, or small claims matter from Graham, use the Pierce County District Court request process instead. The two systems do not overlap.
Requesting Pierce County District Court Records
District Court case records for Graham include case files, dockets, court calendars, and orders. These are governed by GR 31. To request them, submit your request by mail, email, or online using the form at Pierce County District Court case records.
When filling out the form, provide the full name of the person involved, date of birth, case number if known, and date of incident if relevant. List the specific documents you need. Note whether your request is urgent. Indicate if you want the records sent by email. The court will respond with the fee amount and payment instructions. Records are released after payment is received. You can pick up records in person, receive them by email, or have them mailed.
Important: Pierce County District Court cannot provide information on Superior Court or Juvenile Court cases. For divorce decrees, dissolution orders, child support matters, or other family law cases, contact Pierce County Superior Court at (253) 798-7455. For juvenile court records, call (253) 798-7973. Using the wrong number will slow down your request.
Pierce County Court Records Policy
Pierce County courts are not subject to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This was established by court precedent in Nast v. Michels and Spokane and Eastern Lawyer v. Tompkins. Instead, public access is governed by Washington State Court General Rule 31 for case records and GR 31.1 for administrative records.
Under GR 31, most court case records are publicly accessible unless they involve sealed or confidential matters. Common examples of restricted records include juvenile dependency cases, adoption files, and certain mental health proceedings. Administrative records, which relate to court management rather than specific cases, require a separate request form under GR 31.1.
Each Pierce County court has its own public records officer. For administrative records questions, contact the court you are dealing with directly. The Pierce County court records overview page provides a full breakdown of who handles what and what fees apply to different record types.
Free Online Search Options
The Washington Courts DW Case Search is free and covers courts of limited jurisdiction statewide, including Pierce County District Court. Results update daily at 3:00 AM. You can search by defendant name, date of birth, or case number. Case summaries and docket status appear in results but document images are not included. This is a good starting point before submitting a formal records request.
For Pierce County Superior Court cases, LINX at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us is the primary search tool. Both are free for basic case lookup. The Washington Courts main portal at courts.wa.gov links to all court search tools and provides guidance on GR 31 access rights and how to challenge improper record denials.
Note: Certified copies of any Pierce County court records require payment prior to release. When you request records, wait for the court to confirm the fee before sending payment. The court will not release records until it confirms receipt of payment.
Graham and Pierce County: Key Court Contacts
Having the right contact saves time. Pierce County Superior Court Clerk: (253) 798-7455. Juvenile Court Clerk: (253) 798-7973. District Court: (253) 798-7487. All three courts are in the Pierce County Courthouse area in Tacoma. Mail requests go to the specific court addressed at the Tacoma courthouse.
For in-person visits, the Pierce County District Court is at 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Tacoma, WA 98402. Public access terminals may be available for case searches during regular business hours. Check with the clerk before visiting to confirm what is available and whether you need an appointment.
Pierce County Court Docket Records
Graham is fully within Pierce County. All court docket records for Graham cases are held by Pierce County District Court and Superior Court. The Pierce County page covers the full range of court search tools, fees, and records access for this area.
Nearby Cities
Other unincorporated and incorporated communities near Graham in Pierce County also use Pierce County courts for all case filings and docket records.