STATE OF THE COURT 2025
SNAPSHOT OF THE COURT
Pierce County District Court is a court of limited of jurisdiction and handles a variety of cases, including:
• Infractions – Handles disputes over traffic tickets and other infractions.
• Misdemeanors & Gross Misdemeanors – Includes DUI, domestic violence, theft, assault, traffic, and other criminal offenses with a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
• Small Claims – Resolves civil disputes involving claims up to $10,000 (or $5,000 if the claimant is a business).
• Civil Cases – Handles civil lawsuits with claims up to $100,000.
• Civil Protection Orders – Issues anti-harassment and stalking protection orders.
• Parking – Handle disputes over parking and camera infractions.
• Other –Name changes, vehicle and animal impounds, garnishments.
District Court is known as the 'People’s Court' for its high case volume and everyday legal matters. Its caseload encompasses a wide range of matters that directly affect the daily lives of the public.
The Critical Role of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction: Ensuring Access, Efficiency, and Justice
Courts of limited jurisdiction (CLJs) help make justice accessible, efficient, and fair. They handle most legal disputes, including traffic tickets, misdemeanors, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000. By resolving these cases quickly, they alleviate filings in Superior Courts and provide individuals and businesses with faster, more affordable outcomes.
Addressing misdemeanors early can help prevent more serious crimes. Many people charged with misdemeanors are at a turning point, and interventions like probation and therapeutic programs and services can help keep them from reoffending.
By handling cases at this level, CLJs reduce the strain on felony courts, which require more time, resources, and expensive incarceration. Felony convictions also have long-term consequences, making it harder to find jobs or housing.
Misdemeanor courts balance accountability with rehabilitation, helping people move forward while keeping communities safer.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Pierce County District Court, as an independent and impartial branch of government, is:
• To promote respect for law, society and individual rights;
• Provide open, accessible and effective forums for dispute resolution;
• Resolve legal matters in a just, efficient and timely manner and;
• Ensure the dignified and fair treatment of all parties.
“ Everything we do in the Court will have a purpose. There will be no wasted efforts. ”
Dom Hardeman –Probation Manager
2025 GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND PRIORITIES
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY
Expand Therapeutic Programs and Services – Enhance access to the Pathways to Progress Program and Therapeutic Courts, providing more opportunities for individuals to receive rehabilitative support
Enhance Access to Justice – Increase efforts to ensure all individuals can obtain legal assistance and navigate the legal system effectively, promoting equity and fairness in the judicial process
UTILIZE PUBLIC FUNDS AND RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY
Systemize Budgeting and Financial Management – Develop a more efficient, transparent, and accountable financial management system to improve public service delivery and align with organizational goals.
IMPLEMENT TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
Pursue a Permanent Case Management Solution for the Clerk’s Office –Evaluate and implement a long-term, effective case management system for the Clerk's Office, streamlining operations and improving service.
UTILIZE DATA - DRIVEN DECISION MAKING FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Develop a Performance Measure Dashboard – Leverage data to track and improve court operations, ensuring a more fair, efficient, and responsive justice system that better serves the public.
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COURT WITH A FOCUS ON OPERATIONS AND PERSONNEL
Prioritize Emergency Preparedness – Strengthen plans and actions to safeguard the court’s ability to function during crises, including natural disasters or security threats.
District Court STATS
78,205 Customer Service Contacts (2024)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ENTERPRISE SUPERVISION
District Court partnered with the Administrative Office of the Courts and Tyler Technologies to adopt Enterprise Supervision at no cost to Pierce County. This case management system helps probation departments oversee individuals in the criminal justice system. It allows court personnel to manage case files, monitor compliance, and oversee treatment progress. By streamlining these tasks, Enterprise Supervision improves supervision efficiency and accountability.
RESOURCE FAIR
On August 23, 2024, the Pierce County District Court Resource Center held its second annual Beyond Boundaries Resource Fair for justice-impacted and homeless individuals. With 33 vendors and 11 employers, the event provided legal aid, health screenings, housing support, and over 2,200 job opportunities. An estimated 400 attendees received essential services, and lunch was provided to the first 300 attendees. This annual fair fosters stability and opportunity by addressing key community needs.
CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER PORTAL
Pierce County's Civil Protection Order Portal helps individuals file for protection orders online. It guides users through a simple questionnaire. This portal improves access to justice by streamlining the process, reducing confusion, and allowing petitioners to file remotely.
PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The District Court’s Public Outreach Committee supports the community through volunteer work and resource donations. Employees participate in initiatives like clothing drives, diaper donations, road cleanups, Law Day events, and the YMCA Mock Trial. Other projects include Paint Tacoma Beautiful, Raising Girls hygiene kits, and Wreaths Across America. These efforts reflect the Court’s commitment to making a positive impact in Pierce County.
INNOVATING JUSTICE AWARD
In 2024 Dom Hardeman, District Court Manger of Probation was awarded the Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) Innovating Justice Award for his development of the Pretrial Pathways Program, now called Pathways to Progress. This well-deserved recognition highlights his outstanding contributions to advancing justice through innovation.
ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS PROGRAM
Pierce County District Court Probation uses the Administrative Interventions Program (AIP) to handle lowlevel violations without a court hearing. Developed with local legal agencies, AIP provides tailored interventions based on each participant's needs. It promotes accountability, reduces court and jail time, and supports positive behavioral change.
WORKCREW PLUS
Valeo, a community partner, and District Court worked together to design the Workcrew Plus program, which allows individuals with District Court involvement the opportunity to participate in the Workcrew program while getting paid $20/hr. This program allows individuals to gain experience and credentials necessary to make them a prioritized hire for county department union positions, while providing one day a week to focus on employment barrier reduction.
PROBATION DIVSION
Pierce County District Court Probation supervises individuals sentenced to probation for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses. The goal is to ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions while providing support and resources.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervision & Compliance: Ensure individuals follow court-ordered conditions like attending programs, completing community service, through regular check-ins with probation officers.
Risk Assessment & Case Management: Assess individuals’ risk levels and needs, developing tailored supervision plans to promote rehabilitation.
Referral to Services & Programs: Connect individuals to treatment, mental health services, housing, job training, and programs like DV-MRT and Work Crew Plus.
THERAPUETIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Therapeutic programs and services in Pierce County District Court are specialized interventions designed to address underlying behavioral health issues that contribute to criminal behavior. These programs aim to reduce recidivism, promote rehabilitation, and improve public safety by offering support and treatment rather than solely focusing on punishment.
Therapeutic Programs and Services
DISTRICT COURT RESOURCE CENTER
The Court Resource Center connects justice-involved individuals and others in need with essential social services in one location, improving outcomes for both individuals and the community.
SERVICES AVAILABLE:
• Just Threads Clothing Bank – Free clothing assistance.
• Housing Assistance – Support for housing and homelessness prevention.
• Driver's License Reinstatement – Help restoring driver's licenses.
• Job Training & Education – Access to job training and learning opportunities.
• Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment – Access to counseling, mental health, and addiction support.
• Veterans’ Services – Assistance with benefits and specialized programs.
• Medicaid & Public Assistance – Help enrolling in Medicaid and state aid.
• Food Bank – Ready-to-eat food assistance.
• Social Security Assistance – Guidance on SSI applications and benefits.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment – Access to substance use disorder treatment.
ADDRESS: 925 TACOMA AVE S, TACOMA, WA 98402
HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 8:30 AM TO 4:30 PM
PROBATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
Both the Day Reporting and Work Crew programs convene at the District Court Resource Center, where participants are not only engaged in their program activities but are also often connected with essential community resources, supporting their overall rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Workcrew
Pierce County District Court’s Work Crew Program offers court-involved individuals the opportunity to complete community service instead of serving jail time or to reduce fines. Crews provide professionallevel labor to Pierce County Facilities, Planning, and Public Works, supporting local maintenance and development.
Partnering with Valeo, a community partner, Work Crew Plus is a paid job training program for individuals who complete the court-ordered Work Crew. Participants perform similar tasks while gaining rapid employment experience to support community reintegration.
Crews operate daily from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexible hours to accommodate work and school.
15k hrs. of service to Pierce County in 2024
Day Reporting
The Day Reporting Program is available to court-involved individuals who are not physically eligible to participate in the Work Crew Program. Like Work Crew, it provides participants the opportunity to attend classes instead of serving jail time or to reduce court fines. These classes focus on practical life skills, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach and rotating through a six-week curriculum.
10.77 Calendar
In Pierce County District Court, the 10.77 Calendar deals with mental health evaluations for defendants to determine if they are mentally fit to stand trial.
Defendants in this process are known as Trueblood class members, meaning they qualify for federal and state support to help them reintegrate into the community. They can receive FHARPS and FPATH assistance, which provides housing and case management services.
Previously, Pierce County did not offer incustody assessments for FHARPS/FPATH assessments. The District Court identified this issue through the Pathways to Progress Program
Thanks to collaboration between the Court, the Pierce County Jail, the Health Care Authority, and Comprehensive Life Resources, in-jail assessments are now available helping more people access housing and other needed resources.
Pathways to Progress
Pathways to Progress helps individuals, including those with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice system by connecting them to essential services for recovery and reintegration.
Key Services:
• Behavioral Health Pathway – Mental health and substance use treatment.
• Employment Pathway– Job training and subsidized employment through WorkCrew+
• Cross-System Collaboration –Partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations for holistic support in health, housing, and employment.
Behavioral Health Unit
The Behavioral Health Unit in Pierce County District Court Probation is a specialized program designed to provide support for individuals involved in the criminal justice system who have behavioral health issues, such as mental health or substance use disorders. This unit focuses on providing treatment, case management, and monitoring services to help participants address their underlying behavioral health conditions.
Behavioral Health Review Calendar
The Behavioral Health Review Calendar allows the court to regularly assess the progress of individuals under the Probation Division’s Behavioral Health Unit. It ensures compliance with court orders while addressing urgent needs like housing, transportation, and appointments. The court also connects participants to peer support and vital resources to promote stability and longterm success.
Behavioral Programs
Courage to Change
This program is used by Pierce County District Court to support individuals on probation, those in alternative sentencing programs, or people working toward rehabilitation. The Courage to Change Program is a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to help individuals involved in the criminal justice system make positive life changes. The program focuses on problem-solving, emotional regulation, and decision-making to encourage pro-social behavior.
DV-MRT
DV-MRT (Domestic Violence – Moral Reconation Therapy) is a structured, evidence-based program for individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses. It targets harmful thinking, promotes accountability, and fosters empathy to support lasting change. In small-group settings, participants engage in guided discussions, peer interaction, and exercises that encourage positive decision-making and growth.
THERAPUETIC COURTS
Therapeutic courts use evidence- based methods and involve collaboration between judges, prosecution, defense probation officers, and social and health providers to develop a treatment plan for the defendant. These courts emphasize, restorative justice, the longterm well-being of the individual , and accountability.
Veterans Treatment Court is a specialized court program designed to help military veterans who have been charged with criminal offenses, often related to issues such as PTSD, substance abuse, or mental health disorders. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, the court provides structured treatment, supervision, and support services to help veterans rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.
Pierce County District Court is fully prepared and committed to increasing therapeutic court participation. We are hopeful that continued partnership with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Department of Assigned Council will help expand District Court Therapeutic Courts.
Pierce County Community Court is a specialized court designed to handle low-level, non-violent offenses by focusing on rehabilitation and community support rather than traditional punishment. Instead of fines or jail time, participants are connected to social services, treatment programs, and community service to address the root causes of their offenses, such as homelessness, substance abuse, or mental health issues.
Top (left to right): Judge Karla E. Buttorff, Judge Lloyd D. Oaks, Judge Karl Williams, Judge Claire Sussman, Bottom (left to right: Judge Dwayne L. Christopher, Judge Jeanette A. Lineberry, Judge Kevin A. McCann, Judge Lizanne Padula
Not pictured: Commissioner Pedro Chou