Tacoma Municipal Court Docket Records
Tacoma court docket records come from Tacoma Municipal Court for city ordinance and traffic matters, and from Pierce County Superior Court via LINX for felony, family law, and major civil cases. As the Pierce County seat, Tacoma is home to both the city and county court systems in the same physical area. This guide explains how to search Tacoma court dockets, request records, understand eFiling rules, and navigate the multiple systems that apply to cases in Tacoma, Washington.
Tacoma Overview
Tacoma Municipal Court Overview
Tacoma Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases involving alleged violations of City of Tacoma ordinances. Case types include domestic violence misdemeanors, assault, theft, drug offenses, DUI, reckless driving, and physical control. The court also handles traffic and parking infractions.
Courtrooms are on the first and second floors of the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South (Rooms 134, 135, 234, and 235) and at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402. Virtual hearings are offered Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m., but criminal calendar participation requires judicial approval. If you have a criminal case and want to appear virtually, you must request permission in advance.
Electronic filing (eFiling) is mandatory per Local Rule 30.1, using eFileWA Services. Attorneys must register with eFileWA to file documents in Tacoma Municipal Court. Notices of Appearance and other initial filings must comply with this rule. Records requests can be submitted by mail or email to MunicipalCourt@tacoma.gov.
Note: Tacoma Municipal Court data is not available in the legacy JIS-Link system; access Tacoma Municipal Court records through the court directly or via the updated statewide case search portal.
Court Dates, Hearings, and Infraction Options
The Tacoma Municipal Court court dates and hearings page covers the different types of hearings and how to schedule them. Warrant hearings can be scheduled in person at the Municipal Court service counter or by email to MunicipalCourt@tacoma.gov. Infraction hearings are requested by checking the appropriate box on the ticket and mailing it to the court, or by appearing at the service counter on the 8th floor (Room 841).
Hearing by Mail is available for infractions, parking, and camera tickets only. There is no appeal option with Hearing by Mail. If you want to preserve your right to appeal, you must request an in-person hearing instead. Parking and camera tickets are not reported to the Department of Licensing (DOL), but unpaid fines can block vehicle registration renewal, so it is worth addressing them even if they do not affect your driving record directly.
The screenshot below shows the Tacoma Municipal Court court dates and hearings page.
Tacoma Municipal Court court dates and hearings page explains how to request hearings, pay fines, and manage infraction responses.
Choose the right type of hearing for your case; Hearing by Mail is available but limits your appeal rights for infraction matters.
Tacoma Municipal Court Judges and Records Fees
Tacoma Municipal Court has three judges and one court commissioner. Judge Dee A. Sonntag serves Department 1, Judge Sergio C. Flores serves Department 2, and Judge Steven J. Krupa serves Department 3. Commissioner Jason L. Johnson also presides over certain matters. Judge biographies and professional affiliations are listed on the court's main page.
Records fees at Tacoma Municipal Court are straightforward. Photocopies cost nothing for the first 10 pages, then $0.50 per page after that. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Audio CD recordings of proceedings take 5 to 10 business days to produce and cost $10.00. Time payment plans for traffic infractions carry a $10.00 setup fee. Unpaid fines may be sent to collections, a warrant may be issued, or DOL may be notified for license suspension.
The screenshot below shows the Tacoma Municipal Court homepage.
Tacoma Municipal Court homepage includes judge information, courtroom locations, eFiling requirements, and records request contact details.
The homepage links to court calendars, eFiling registration, and the records request email address for Tacoma Municipal Court.
Pierce County Superior Court and LINX
Felony cases, civil disputes over $100,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters involving Tacoma residents or addresses go to Pierce County Superior Court. As the county seat, Tacoma is home to the main Pierce County courthouse. Pierce County Superior Court Clerk is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402. Phone: (253) 798-7455.
Pierce County Superior Court uses LINX (Legal Information Network Exchange) for docket access. The LINX system at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us lets you search Superior Court dockets and calendars. Basic access is free. Attorney subscriptions provide document downloads and more detailed views. For Tacoma Superior Court cases, LINX is the primary search tool. It does not cover Tacoma Municipal Court or Pierce County District Court cases.
Pierce County District Court handles misdemeanor matters and traffic cases that come from outside Tacoma's municipal jurisdiction. The District Court is also at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 239, Tacoma, WA 98402. Phone: (253) 798-7487. Use the statewide DW case search when you are not sure whether a case went to Municipal Court, District Court, or Superior Court.
Pierce County Court Docket Records
Tacoma is the Pierce County seat. Felony cases and major civil matters are filed in Pierce County Superior Court and accessible through the LINX system at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us.
Nearby Cities
Other Pierce County cities near Tacoma also have court docket resources available through Pierce County and statewide systems.