Pierce County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

New technology fees in Pierce County court

The law lets Pierce County’s Magistrate Court clerk charge up to $10 for each civil case filed. It also allows a surcharge of up to $10 on each fine the court assesses. The chief magistrate sets the amounts. The clerk must keep collections in a separate account used only for the court’s listed technology needs. Allowed uses include buying, leasing, installing, and maintaining computers, software, and equipment for communication, imaging, scanning, and printing. Money can also preserve court records and create digital archives for public access. Fee authority ends July 1, 2036; any money left remains dedicated to general Pierce County technology uses.