King County, WA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into King County Courthouse (Seattle) (King County, WA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County). No lockers are needed at King County Courthouse (Seattle) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security. Last checked
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Washington court rule to King County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (206) 296-9300 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- King County Courthouse (Seattle)
- Address
- 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (206) 296-9300
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~8,112 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.courts.wa.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated King County Juror Garage in downtown Seattle. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Seattle local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (King County)
Authority: Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County) · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Washington); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | King County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “King County Courthouse (Seattle) Security Policy: "Cell phones and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. Please silence all devices prior to entering a courtroom."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones allowed on silent | “King County Courthouse (Seattle) Security Policy: "Cell phones and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. Please silence all devices prior to entering a courtroom."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | No lockers needed (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (King County Courthouse (Seattle)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (King County Courthouse (Seattle)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (King County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “King County Courthouse (Seattle) Security Policy: "Cell phones and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. Please silence all devices prior to entering a courtroom."” |
| Security line wait times | ~25 mins peak (arrive 35 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (25 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (King County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | “King County Courthouse (Seattle) Security Policy: "Cell phones and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. Please silence all devices prior to entering a courtroom."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in King County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County Courthouse (Seattle) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers | Validated free (King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage)) |
| King County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Seattle, WA 98104 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers on site | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to King County Courthouse (Seattle)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in King County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
You may bring your cell phone inside on silent mode. Do not take your phone out inside a courtroom unless the judge explicitly asks you to display digital proof of insurance or exhibits.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~25 minutes. Arrive at least 35 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in King County, WA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in King County, WA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to King County Courthouse in Seattle, WA?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into King County Courthouse (Seattle) (King County, WA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County).
Does King County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at King County Courthouse (Seattle) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at King County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage). Park in the designated King County Juror Garage in downtown Seattle. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to King County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the King County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at King County Courthouse (Seattle) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 25-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 35 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my King County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (206) 296-9300 or consult a local King County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- Washington jury duty pay & laws
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in Washington
- Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Snohomish County (Everett)
- Spokane County (Spokane)
- Clark County (Vancouver)
- Kitsap County (Port Orchard)
- Thurston County (Olympia)
- Yakima County (Yakima)
- Whatcom County (Bellingham)
- Benton County (Kennewick)
- All 10 Washington counties →
Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at King County Courthouse (Seattle)? Submit a verified update.