Municipal Court
Tacoma Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction hearing misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases involving alleged violations of City of Tacoma ordinances including, but not limited to:
- Criminal Charges (domestic violence offenses, assault, theft, drug offenses, etc.)
- Criminal-Traffic offenses (driving under the influence, physical control, reckless driving, etc.)
- Traffic and Parking infractions
Our Mission
The Tacoma Municipal Court, as an independent and impartial branch of city government, is to promote respect for the 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.
Courtroom Information
Our courtrooms are located on the first and second floors of the County-City Building. The monitors in the lobby of those floors display a calendar list of all hearings with room assignments.
Courtroom Locations
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930 Tacoma Avenue South
First Floor
Room 134
Tacoma, WA 98402 -
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Second Floor
Room 234
Tacoma, WA 98402 -
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Second Floor
Room 235
Tacoma, WA 98402 -
930 Tacoma Avenue South
First Floor
Room 135
Tacoma, WA 98402 -
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Second Floor
Room 233
Tacoma, WA 98402
Driving Directions
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- At Tacoma take the I-705 North/WA-7 South exit, exit number 133, towards City Center
- Keep right at the fork in the ramp
- Keep left at the fork in the ramp
- Merge onto I-705 North
- Take the A Street exit on the left towards City Center
- Keep left at the fork in the ramp
- Merge onto South 15th Street
- Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
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- At Tacoma take the I-705 North/WA-7 South exit, exit number 133, towards City Center/Mt Rainier
- Keep right at the fork in the ramp
- Keep left at the fork in the ramp
- Merge onto I-705 North
- Take the A Street exit on the left towards City Center
- Keep left at the fork in the ramp
- Merge onto South 15th Street
- Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
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Parking at the County-City Building is limited. Some pay public parking is available in the parking lots off 11th Street between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue and on Nollmeyer Street between 9th Street and 11th Street off of Yakima Avenue. On-street parking is available to a maximum of one hour. Allow sufficient time before a scheduled hearing to locate parking.
Public transportation is available to the County-City Building. Bus route information can be found at Pierce County Transit or by calling (253) 581-8000.
The Tacoma Municipal Court is located in the County-City building in downtown Tacoma.
Virtual Hearings
Virtual hearings are offered for infractions, photo and parking citations, and criminal matters.
- Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m., must have judicial approval for these calendars
If you have court and need the meeting id and passcode, please contact your attorney. You may also call the Court (253) 591-5357 or email MunicipalCourt@tacoma.gov. If you are an observer, please visit our Virtual Hearings web page and click ‘watch’ to observe hearings live when court is in session.
Electronic Filing
Per our Local Rule 30.1, electronic filing is mandatory. Tacoma Municipal Court is accepting electronic filing on criminal cases and infractions. For more information on the electronic filing service called eFile & Serve, please visit eFileWA Services. To register as a user to begin using eFile & Serve, please go to eFile Washington.
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Fines and court costs assessed by the court are due and payable at the time of the court hearing. Payment arrangements are available and can be made with the judge’s approval. Approval may be granted to pay the fine and costs by a deferred payment plan, community service, or work crew through City of Tacoma. When fines and fees are not paid, the court can take one or more of the following actions, depending on the charges involved.
- Send the delinquent amount to a collection’s agency
- Order a warrant of arrest
- Notify the Department of Licensing, which may suspend the driver’s license or prevent vehicle registration renewal.
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Cash bail or a bail bond may be required to be posted before a person can be released from jail pending the disposition of their case. To obtain a bail bond, a person must contact a bail bond company to post on their behalf. If the bail is set as a cash only, the person must post the cash amount set. Cash bail or a bail bond will remain until the case’s conclusion. A person posting cash bail may request that the posted bail be returned to them at other scheduled court hearings. Depending on the circumstances, the judge may or may not exonerate or return the cash bail.
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Public requests for court case records may be requested by mail or email by filing out the Records Request Form. Please be sure to provide name, date of birth, case number and date of incident, if known and relevant to your request. Also, indicate if you are requesting the completed records by email and the urgency of the request. Be sure to include a valid email address.
If you request an audio CD, please provide the name, case number, and hearing(s) date. The expected turnaround time for a CD is five to ten business days. When the disc is completed, you can pick it up at our customer service counter, or the court can mail it to any address provided.
Costs:
- Photocopy – First 10 pages free, additional pages .50 cents per page
- Certified copy $5.00 per document
- CD/Audio (Court Recording) $10.00
Interpreters
Foreign language, Sign Language, or hearing devices are available during court hearings for non-English-speaking or hearing-impaired individuals. You have the right to language access services at no cost to you. Please contact the court to request interpreter services before the court hearing.
Individuals with Disabilities
All court facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Wedding Information
For information regarding wedding ceremonies performed by Tacoma Municipal Court Judges, please contact the court.
Courtroom Etiquette
- Given that all court proceedings are recorded, it is crucial that all individuals maintain silence until their case is called. This is to ensure the recording process is not disrupted.
- Be polite and courteous to the judge, those around you and to court personnel.
- Remove hats upon entering the courtroom. Suitable attire is required.
- Turn off or silence all cell phones or other electronic devices.
- Weapons are prohibited in the courtroom; weapons are not allowed in the County-City Building.
- Children may be present in the courtroom; however, if they disturb the proceedings, you may be requested to remove them. The court does not offer childcare.
Infraction Forms
Translated Forms
Meet Our Judges
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Judge Department #1
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JudgeDee A. Sonntag (she/her)
Judge Dee A. Sonntag (she/her)
Judicial Experience
- Judge, Tacoma Municipal Court, Elected November 2022
- Judge pro tem, Tacoma Municipal Court 2022
Education
- University of Washington School of Law, Juris Doctorate 2015
- University of Washington Tacoma, Bachelor’s Degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Minor in Human Rights, magna cum laude 2013
- Tacoma Community College, Associate’s Degree 2011
Career Highlights
- Department of Assigned Counsel, Defense Attorney 2014 – 2015 & 2016 – 2022
- Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Rule 9 Prosecutor 2015
- Stewart Title, Limited Practice Officer 2002 – 2010
Professional Affiliations & Committees
- District and Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) Member
- The Washington State Bar Association’s Council on Public Defense Liaison
- Public Outreach Committee Member
- Law Day Subcommittee Co-Chair
- Therapeutic Courts Committee Member
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association (TPCBA) Judicial Member
- Former Criminal Law Section Co-Chair
- Former Judicial Qualifications Committee Member
- The Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court Active Member
- All Rise (formerly known as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) Member
Civic Involvement
- UWT Legal Pathways Program Mentor
- YMCA Mock Trial Judge
- Supporter of Lawyers Helping Hungry Children
- Supporter of Tacoma Pro Bono
- Stadium High School Boosters
- Stadium High School Volleyball Mini-Boosters President
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Judge Department # 2
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JudgeDrew A. Henke
Judge Drew A. Henke
Judicial Experience
- Judge, Tacoma Municipal Court, January 2015 to present
- Administrative Law Judge, 2009 to 2014
Education
- University of Puget Sound School of Law, Juris Doctorate 1985
- Ripon College, Bachelor’s Degree in Politics and Government, Minor in Sociology 1982
Career Highlights
- Office of Administrative Hearings, Administrative Law Judge 2009 – 2014
- Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Prosecutor 1988 – 2008
- Private Practice 1986 – 1988, 2008 – 2009
Professional Affiliations & Committees
- District and Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) Member
- The Washington State Bar Association’s Judicial Ethics Committee
- The Washington State Bar Association’s Access to Justice DMCJA Liaison
- The Washington State Bar Association’s Council on Public Defense DMCJA Liaison
- Washington State Street Law Program teacher
- Therapeutic Courts Committee Member
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association (TPCBA) Judicial Member
- The Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court Emeritus Member
- All Rise (formerly known as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) Member
Civic Involvement
- Washington State We the People Judge
- YMCA Mock Trial Judge
- Supporter of Lawyers Helping Hungry Children
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Judge Department # 3 - Presiding
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Presiding JudgeSteve J. Krupa
Presiding Judge Steve J. Krupa
Judge Steve Krupa was elected to the Tacoma Municipal Court in November 2022 and currently serves as the Court’s Presiding Judge. Prior to taking the bench, he was a staff attorney with the Northwest Justice Project, a civil legal aid firm, providing legal assistance to indigent veterans. Before NJP, he was a partner in a Tacoma law firm where he practiced in Federal, State and Military criminal, civil and administrative litigation. Judge Krupa also served for twenty-four years as an Army Reserve Judge Advocate before retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Judge Krupa believes passionately in public service. While in private practice, he regularly provided pro bono representation and served as a lecturer at continuing legal education seminars. He also served in elected and appointed leadership positions in the Federal and local bar. He is a recipient of the Army’s Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association’s Humanitarian Award. Judge Krupa remains active in many local civic and charity organizations and enjoys serving as Judge in YMCA mock trials for high school students.
Judge Krupa is a graduate of Rutgers University; the University of Puget Sound School of Law; the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School; and the Army’s Command and General Staff School.
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Commissioner Randall L. Hansen
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CommissionerRandall L. Hansen
Judicial Experience
- Commissioner, Tacoma Municipal Court, appointed in 2009
- Industrial Appeals Judge, State of Washington, appointed in 1996
- Judge pro tem in various courts
Education
- University of Puget Sound School of Law, Juris Doctorate Cum Laude, 1982
- University of Arizona, Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, 1979
Career Highlights
- Private Practice, 1982 – 1989 and 1992 – 1996
- Seattle City Attorney’s Office, 1989 – 1992
Professional Affiliations and Committees
- District and Municipal Court Judges Association
- Public Outreach Committee
- Law Day Subcommittee
- Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association
- District and Municipal Court Liaison Committee
- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Civic Involvement
- YMCA Mock Trial Judge
- Tacoma Pro Bono Volunteer
- Supporter of Lawyers Helping Hungry Children
Youth Sports Volunteer
- Boards of Directors for Various Community-Based Association
Other Resources
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Assistant City Attorney
Department of Assigned Counsel