District Court
District Court Judges
Top row (from left): Franklin L. Dacca, Karla E. Buttorff, Pat O'Malley and Claire Sussman. Bottom row (from left): James R. Heller, Margaret Vail Ross, Judy Rae Jasprica and Jack F. Nevin.
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 assure the dignified and fair treatment of all parties.
Summary of Services
Pierce County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction hearing the following cases:
- Traffic and non-traffic infractions
- Criminal and criminal-traffic misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil matters for damages for injury to individuals or personal property and contract disputes no greater than $75,000
- Civil claims ('small claims'), for recovery of money not to exceed $5,000
- Name changes
- Antiharassment protection orders