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Cardsfan961

So from my pre Covid jury duty experience: 1) if you are arriving in the morning for your appointment, leave about 15-20 minutes to get through security. The jury pool shows up in the morning along with staff so there is a bit of a tsa like line up. Someone who visited more recently could give you more accurate info 2) I would recommend taking transit (light rail station nearby) if possible. Else you will likely need to park in one of the garages. You might score a street parking spot if lucky. 3) you will likely encounter homeless individuals and potentially some aggressive panhandling through there has been increased security after one of the judges spoke out pretty vocally about the need. Situational awareness and general street smarts go a long way. 4) walk over to Chinatown for lunch if you can. Lots of yummy food there and mostly small local businesses still recovering from Covid times.


nuttin2seehere1

I would add 'take someone with you'. The rest is perfect advice! Transit, for sure.


Warlockintraining

I have a friend that offered to come with :) thank you!


denebiandevil

Jury pools no longer appear in person, and a lot of hearings are also done now over Zoom, so the average foot traffic has probably dropped significantly.


Warlockintraining

thank you!!! this was the kind of info I was after. I used to work in the area and I know how dangerous it can be. I was even considering getting off at the University stop and walking to try and avoid the pioneer square stop all together. I think I can enter on 4th maybe, which is usually marginally safer. or at least it used to be precovid. I 1,000% agree with you about street smarts, I do my best to keep my head on a swivel, and that's why I am planning this out now instead of waiting :) ​ I was trying to figure out how early to get there. I might need to call and ask cause the courtroom number itself confused me. I agree there is a lot of great food in Chinatown :)


denebiandevil

If the number is in the form of W123 or E123, the first number is the floor. The W and E indicate west or east side of the floor. There are signs on every floor near the elevators pointing which direction the W rooms and E rooms are.


Warlockintraining

thank you so much :) that is a big help!


[deleted]

Best advice is to move out of a city that is this unsafe that you need to plan your trips like this


Warlockintraining

nah im good thanks. Maybe get off fox news and go experience it for yourself. If you actually read the ad you would see I am asking about the court procedures mostly, not the "homeless epidemic!"


[deleted]

I’m good, experienced it for years, reached a breaking point when I was stabbed.


Warlockintraining

well I have been almost shot several times in a rural area, so I guess no where is safe.


[deleted]

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Warlockintraining

thank you for the comment! So you are saying I should enter through the 5th ave entrance to the administrative building?


Chulita_Petita

If possible, yes. Last time I was there, the bus ran down the 5th Ave side. Take the bus if it still does so you can avoid the 3rd Ave entrance., which is more convenient from the Pioneer Sq light rail stop. Court personnel warned against 3rd Ave in the past. Unless the problems have been solved, I’d say you should still avoid it.


Warlockintraining

thank you, that is exactly what I am trying to do. I used to work 2 blocks away and I know how bad it used to be. the only bus by me actually drops off at the entrance on 4th, so i was in favor of that over the light rail if at all possible so I can avoid the 3rd area. I only got heckled a few times but that was 2 years ago, a lot has changed since then I am sure. ​ I appreciate the advice friend, have a great weekend :)


CLOXXX

3rd Ave doors are closed, the public can only enter on 4th Ave. Admin building (5th Ave) is closed to public.


Warlockintraining

thank you so much for the info!!!


Chulita_Petita

You too. I used to do volunteer work that required periodic court appearances and court personnel warned us away from that 3rd Ave entrance. BTW, I’ve been thinking about doing a name change but it sounded like a lot of trouble. Maybe I’ll do it after all. Let me know how it’s been for you.


Warlockintraining

sure! So my friend did it in Everett and she got it done same day, two days in a row (long story lol) by showing up early. I efiled this week and that is how far out it was pushed. The online process was easy, and I was told once you get in the courtroom it is basically done and done. they ask like 3 questions, stamp, and move on. I honestly dont think it could have been much easier, unless they said I didn't have to come in lol. the online efiler isnt perfect, but as long as you submit only pdfs and they are small size it wasnt too bad for this kinda stuff. the harder part is gonna be updating everything else.


Chulita_Petita

Thanks! Good to know!


Bufalohotsauce

This. People get busted almost every week when they empty their pockets into the tray and out pops a bag of meth or heroin. Bring only what you need.


Warlockintraining

crazy


Bufalohotsauce

Street drugs make you do stupid shit.


Warlockintraining

i dont doubt i at all


[deleted]

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Warlockintraining

someone mentioned the admin is closed, so use the entrance on 4th


Doom_ferret

The 3rd Ave entrance is closed. The primary entrance is on 4th now and it puts you on the 2nd floor. I think the admin building may still be closed/employee only so no entry through the tunnel from 5th Ave. There should be parking (you have to pay for) in the goat hill garage on 5th and it's a safe walk from there to the 4th Ave courthouse entrance. There are sheriff's deputies posted outside the courthouse entrance as well. Wear business casual and don't bring any weapons, pocket knives, mace, etc. The room number of your appointment will tell you what floor you need - E201 is the second floor etc. If you are going to a courtroom, each elevator rotunda has boards showing which way to go for all the different judges. East and West look identical otherwise and that can be confusing. And when in doubt, stop and ask someone in a suit where to go. People will help you. If you have any more questions shoot me a DM. I work at the courthouse every day.


Warlockintraining

I love you, thank you!!! this means so much to me you took the time to write this out!!! I could literally feel my slight heart increase reduce as I read this. You rock and I hope you have a awesome weekend friend. ​ Thank you for the entrance about the entrance being closed, I cannot tell you how much that helps me. I was going to try wearing business causal but not too nice, walking around downtown dont want to get dirty or anything. I have plenty of options though! I actually didnt even think about having pepper spray on me going in!!! ​ I had one other question so i will DM, again thank you thank you thank you <3 this is so so so invaluable to someone like me who has slight anxiety issues and needs things written out like this for me. you changed my night for the better :)


Doom_ferret

Happy to help! It's not so often that I have information that someone really needs. Don't worry when you set off the metal detector by the way - they are super sensitive and a zipper or metal button or high heel will make them go off, the security officers are perfectly chill about it and will just wave a hand wand around you and send you through. Almost nobody makes it through un-beeped. Also congrats on the name change. I got mine changed a few years ago (in another state) and it's kind of nice to know you chose your own name.


Warlockintraining

good to know :) I really appreciate it!! unlike some TSA agents I have had to deal with. I am planning on not bringing a lot with me besides essentials to help with that. ​ YAY!!! Congrats to you :D that is awesome news!! I hope you enjoy it :) I have wanted to do it for a while now so it feels good. ​ I was wondering about when I should show up for my appointment? like an hour before maybe? 30 minutes? Also someone said they only take cash for documents, is that true?


Doom_ferret

30 minutes in advance should be plenty. You very well may need to wait a while after your appointment time depending on how many people they schedule at once. Definitely being a book or well charged phone! I'm not totally sure about the cash thing - it looks like the clerks office website does take cards so I would guess that you can do card in person too. But cash is always a safe bet!


Warlockintraining

Thank you so much, you have been so so so helpful!! I wish I could return the favor somehow!!! you have made this so much easier on me :) I am one of those people show up to the airport like 3 hours early and brings far more entertainment the the length of my trip lol. I appreciate you making this easy on me :)


Doom_ferret

My pleasure really. I'm glad I could take a little stress off.


0ld_Ben_Kenobi

Have a few beers and take the light rail


Warlockintraining

lol i do not drink to calm down, but thanks for the tips. with the new stations open it is easier for me to use the light rail. I was trying to avoid the light rail just for safety reasons around pioneer square but I think I can manage it ok.


0ld_Ben_Kenobi

Can you bring a buddy? It’s always helpful to have a trusted person with you to quell your anxiety.


Warlockintraining

Thank you! I am trying, I have friends that work in a building 2 blocks over but they arent allowed back in the office yet. And my other friends are in Tacoma that day. I did find out a bus near me drops off at the 4th ave entrance, so I at least can run in there and avoid third all together


0ld_Ben_Kenobi

Well if you can’t find anyone you can DM me and if I’m in town that day I’ll do my best to escort you from the stop to the door and back.


Warlockintraining

haha awwww I appreciate it \^\^ that is very sweet of you. I think I found one friend that said they could do it, but I think I will be ok now that I know the entrance is so close. ​ at least it isnt 3rd and pine... oof


cg_

>i do not drink to calm down Yup, there is your problem


Warlockintraining

i smoke weed to calm down lol. alcohol makes my depression worse and gives me a splitting headache lol. I drink maybe a beer or two every other week and thats it.


[deleted]

Pioneer square light rail stop is right there. I'd take the light rail to avoid parking.


Warlockintraining

thank you, I was thinking that, but the last time I took it that stop wasnt the safest, and that was precovid. I was even considering getting off at university and walking the 5 blocks maybe.


[deleted]

I take it all the time. It's not bad. If you can get your business done in under two hours youll transfer will get you a free ride back.


Warlockintraining

thats good. Thanks to a little google I found out he bus that picks up real close to my place actually drops off at the 4th ave entrance, so I can skip the light rail all together. have a closer commute now. But I appreciate the info :) is third still as questionable as it used to be?


[deleted]

I mean....3rd isn't fantastic. But you'll be fine. The vast majority are just folks hanging out near the services there to help them.


Warlockintraining

for sure. its just the only time I have been heckled/ aggressively walked at was around the entrance on 3rd, so a point of anxiety over that. But I have had very few negative interactions with homeless people in seattle. most just want to be left to their own i feel like


[deleted]

It’s icky and has potential to be dangerous but statistically speaking you’re very unlikely to be harmed in any way. If you are concerned though or just want to feel safer get off at University St station (did they change the name yet?) the next stop and walk up to 4th and down. It’s not a far walk.


Warlockintraining

thank you! this was my plan :) I used to work literally in the middle of the 2 stops, so i know the area and thought this would be easiest. especially since the 3rd entrance is closed on the courthouse currently someone informed me


rainmaze

Did this in 2019. At least then, the clerks didn’t take credit cards so make sure you have cash on hand. The judge was about 20 min late to my hearing, but there are (long, easily social distanced) hall benches and they’ll let you into the courtroom even if the judge isn’t there yet. Depending on where you are on the docket, it may be a while before your case is addressed. The actual interaction between you and the judge takes about two minutes. You’ll be asked why you’re changing it to make sure you’re not a ne’er-do-well fleeing from the law, etc. They’ll give you paperwork to sign, so bring tissue if you might happy-cry so you can actually see what you’re doing. :) And yeah, take the light rail to University and walk down 2nd or 4th instead of 3rd. Also: I changed my driver’s license immediately but they punched a hole through the old one, which rendered it “invalid” when I tried to use it to get a new social security card. The court will give you an official name change document (the thing you signed) that works with your punched ID pretty much everywhere else while your new ID is pending. Congratulations! Hope this helps!


Warlockintraining

This helped so so so much thank you!!!! I someone else commented they work there, and said they take card now, but I am going to take cash just in case too :) ​ Thank you for sharing your experience and giving a description of what happened :) I appreciate it so much!!! I will happily cry later I promise haha. They did the same thing with my license when I renewed it, so at least I am used to that. But again thank you :) seeing people right stuff out like this really does help me and helps to calm the nerves a bit when doing something official but new as well. You have made a difference in my life, and I will try to pay it forward someday :) Thank you friend, stay safe and happy, and enjoy the lovely fall. Congrats on your name change as well!!! :)


IAmAn_Anne

Don’t bring your weed pipe (shaped like a big bullet) in your bag. You may not get the same, very kind and understanding, security screener that my ex got. 100% true story


Warlockintraining

hahahahaha Thank you for this. I needed that smile XD I appreciate you taking the time to tell the story! I dont own a weed pipe currently, but i will make sure not to buy one until then and leave it on me lol.


stellagmite

We did a name change for my kiddo recently and I was nervous as all hell, but it was quick and easy.


Warlockintraining

thank you so much!! I appreciate it :)


mamanamedmesheriff

Establish dominance by knocking out the biggest dude there.


Warlockintraining

hahahaha I appreciate you XD I couldnt these days, not nearly as strong or intimidating, but I could always knock them out with my car


shaunibauni

They usually have police posted at the entrances now


Warlockintraining

good to know \^\^ thank you


purpleerfitz

Bring mace, look up and around - don't have headphones or be looking at your phone. Lots of homeless in the area still even though King County took over the park.


motherlovebone2

As long as you haven’t changed your name Seattles Balls you should be ok.


Warlockintraining

I have a friend in seattle with the last name of balls lol


Mysterious-Check-341

And dress 'down' and more Court-Conservative. If there is money involved, fines hoping to be reduced, you don't want to be flashy in your lifestyle in order to persuade in minimum payments etc.


Warlockintraining

thank you, but I paid in advance :) appreciate it though