Municipal Court

 

MUNICIPAL COURT PRESS RELEASE

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

COURT RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR’S 11-15-2020 PRESS CONFERENCE

Fife Municipal Court will not modify the current court operations based on information provided by the Governor during his November 15, 2020, press conference. The Court has instituted safety measures that meet or exceed recommendations from the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department and the Washington State Department of Health.  Those measures include mandated masking, enforced social distancing, increased ventilation and targeted cleanings of high touch surfaces throughout the day. 

 The staff of the Fife Municipal Court would request that citizens follow the recommendations of the Governor in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

 If you feel you cannot make it at your scheduled court time, whether you are an attorney, defendant, witness, litigant, etc., you must call the court prior to your scheduled court date using the contact information listed below:

  • For all matters, contact Court Administration at (253) 922-6635.  


Continuation of Modified Court Operations

Infraction hearings will be decided by mail only.  This includes photo enforcement hearings.  You will need to submit a declaration by mail rather than appear in person.  After the Judge reviews your declaration, a written response will be mailed to you within 2 weeks.  Make sure the declaration has your current address.  If you prefer to appear in person, you can call the court at 253-922-6635 to request a continuance until in-person infraction hearings resume.

Declaration by mail for Mitigation Hearing:   Click here

Declaration by mail for Contested Hearing:    Click here

 Jury service through February has been canceled.

Mission Statement

Through teamwork, provide the public an independent, accessible, integrated judicial system that treats all individuals with dignity, respect, honesty and fairness, by dispensing justice in an equitable and just manner.

Fife Municipal Court Building

The Municipal Court is a Court of Limited Jurisdiction that hears criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, infractions, parking and photo infraction violations that occur in the City of Fife.

Small Claims & Civil Cases

The Municipal Court does not hear small claims or civil cases, change names or issue marriage licenses. Please contact Pierce County District Court at 253-798-7474 for more information.

Court proceedings are open to the public. Parties interested in viewing hearings should contact the court to verify session times.

Please be mindful that the courtroom is not an appropriate place for children.

Information Available from Fife Municipal Court Administration & Court Employees

Court staff can:

  • Tell you the status of a specific case, unless the case or information in the case is confidential. Confidential information is not available to the public because of state law or a judge’s decision.
  • Provide the court file or a portion of the file if public information. If the case is confidential, you will need a court order to see the file.
  • Give you general information on court rules, procedures and practices.
  • Provide court-approved or required forms or tell you where you can find forms. There may be a charge for some forms. Forms are not available for all legal proceedings.
  • Offer guidance on how to compute some deadlines and due dates.
  • Provide court schedules and information on how to get matters scheduled.
  • Provide the telephone number of the local attorney referral service or information about other agencies that may assist you.

Please Note: Court staff do not know the answers to all questions about court rules, procedures and practices.

Court Staff Cannot

  • Advise you about whether you should file a case or whether you should take any particular action in a case.
  • Tell you what words to put in a form.
  • Tell you what to say in court.
  • Tell you what decision the judge will make or what sentence the judge will impose.
  • Comment about specific persons you may name in a petition or pleading.
  • Apply the law nor give directions about how to respond in any aspect of the legal process.
  • Change an order signed by a judge.
  • Let you talk to a judge outside of court.

Legal Advice

Court staff provides information, not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney. If you do not have an attorney, you may wish to call the Lawyer Referral Program of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar, at 253-383-3432, for the name of an attorney practicing in this area.

Remember:
The court, including the judge and all staff, must remain impartial. They do not take sides in any matter coming before the court.