I'm not really sure how to rate a justice center. It's not like I have a lot to compare it to and it does not care what you or I really think of it. I arrived here to fulfill jury duty. I had read the reviews ahead of time and took it to heart. I arrived early, found a spot in the garage, brought reading materials, and was good to go. Yes, there's full security here and in my experience this mirrors other government buildings. The officers were serious but cracked a few jokes. The lines moved swiftly. Up to the second floor I went abandoning the elevator as it seemed painfully slow. There are two different types of chairs - soft cushion chairs or plastic chairs. I opted for the soft chairs. The day I went was apparently a light court day as only 100 people were in the room leaving many seats empty. Unlike most people I was selected as part of a panel within 90 minutes. We went to the fourth floor to the courtroom there. The courtroom was much like I expected a courtroom to look. I seriously suspect there's one architect in the whole country who designs courtrooms because they all do look the same. I found the judge to be exceedingly patient. I found the bailiff to be very professional. The lawyers were lawyers. We spent time listening to various questions that helped determine the jury pool. We broke for lunch for 90 minutes. I walked over to Kent Station to take up time. It is a very short walk. Upon returning one of the jurors was MIA so we had to wait until she showed up and then the court decided to take a break so it was another 30 minutes before questions resumed. It was a very interesting process. I don't regret not being selected but I enjoyed seeing how the process worked. read more

Ok, so I've been selected as a juror for my very first jury duty. It is by law that if your jury duty is in King County Superior Court, you are obligated to attend a two-day doody doody. FML! Just hoping I'm not selected to a jury panel for consideration as a juror by the end of my second day, otherwise I am obligated to attend the full length of the trial. They pay you $10/day for attending and payments are processed every two weeks. Also, whoever drives to the court house gets mileage reimbursement, whoopidy whoo! So I came in 15 minutes prior to 8am. Half of the room is filled with people. Now, it's 8:30am and orientation has not even started, yet! This blows! And they tell you not to be late for jury doody?! Oh for crying out loud! People are still checking in and I have not seen the judge, yet! read more

Maleng Regional Justice Center - Ooooh such fancy architect inside the Kent Regional Justice Center. - Courthouses Near Me - Kent, Washington

This monolith in the downtown Kent area has many resources around it for those needing civil issues resolved. It looks lonely in the area, and it is difficult to picture what the future will hold for this neighborhood. Seattle has a jail and courthouse in the middle of all the fun things to do, so why not every town seems to be the thinking here. Every other town I've lived in puts these in more remote areas with less residential, so I still sometimes completely forget this location exists. The park area in front of the building is quite nice, but the entrance is around back. Probably has something to do with security measures, but it seems a shame citizens can't freely walk in and out of their courts anymore without going through airport levels of security. I didn't actually have to go inside the building, so all I can observe is from the exterior. It isn't anything more significant than the dozens of other similar facilities, except for the fact that the design is more artistic looking and less focused on efficiency. Hoping I never get jury duty, but I'm glad this place has a ballot box. At least it was a nice walk around the neighborhood. They could stand to add about 4 more floors to the parking garage here to help service the surrounding area. read more

I served as a CASA and I have to say the incompetency at this courthouse is ridiculous. I am not sure who they wouldn't hire, considering the lack of competent employees employed at this facility, who know how to actually return a telephone call or email. Commissioner Hillman is the worst. He is arrogant, condescending, disrespectful and abusive. Don't bother asking him to actually look at a case file prior to making a decision, because you will learn rather quickly how beneath him it is. Shaylynn Nelson and Kristy Archie (actually told me she wasn't going to research a case) are complete imbeciles and their jobs should be given to someone who actually can do the work. My sympathies to anyone who may have made a mistake in their life or someone who is trying to do better with the clowns at this courthouse. Resigning from my CASA volunteer position was one of the best decisions I have made, so I don't become associated with these people and ruin someone's life. read more

Jury duty at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent ( March 2017) There is a two story parking garage on the property. The top floor is reserved for employees, the bottom floor for everybody else. There are more cars than parking places. Early in the week the garage fills up fairly early. By 8:30 AM there was no parking left in the parking garage. At 7:15 AM it was wide open. Additional parking is across the street at the ShowWare Center. The entrance, on the northwest side of the building next to the parking garage, is closed to everyone, including jurors reporting for duty, until 7:30 AM. Only employees may enter before that. Jury duty started at 8:00 AM, a number of us who got there early had to wait outside until 7:30. There is some limited covering but you are outside. Getting into the building expect to pass through "airport style" screening. You will walk through a scanner that looks like a thin free standing door frame. If you set off the alarm an individual will scan you with a hand held scanner. Your stuff will go on a convener belt through a different scanner observed by a different individual. There are two lines once you walk through the door. My experience with entry door security coming and going was being "talked to" and herded like cattle. This aspect was the least pleasant part of jury duty. It was not abusive nor rude just obnoxious. The jury room itself is packed, rows of seats lined up close to each other. There are very few power outlets. Wi-Fi connection is good. Staff in the jury room is friendly enough. Instructions are easy to understand. The postcard they mailed you has your juror number on it you will scan that number each day you check in. So don't forget to bring it with you along with stuff to keep you busy while you wait. I was selected to be seated for a jury, and then placed on the jury. For me it was a four day experience. The judge later remarked his previous jury went on for eight weeks. Individual jury experiences will vary. Overall I was impressed with the court staff: Judge, bailiff, both attorneys and the facilities. read more

Like other yelpers, I am here because of my civic duty. Yep: jury duty. Without making assumptions as to how people feel about this, some useful info that's not on the website/FAQs/annoying automated messaging system for those that have to be here for the same reason but didn't know what to expect: 1) parking is free but fills up fast. They will tow you if you park across the street at Kent center. I showed up in the parking garage at 7:40am & there were lots of spaces but there was a stream of cars behind me. 2) you have to go through airport-like security but thankfully they are nicer than TSA. 3) there's a coffee shop in the hallway to the left just past security (Kona coffee, I think is the name). Do yourself a favor & get a breakfast burrito & coffee here before you head up to the 2nd floor bc people will trickle in & I had finished my breakfast before the orientation video even started (I'm a slow eater too). 4) be prepared to be stuck in a room with A LOT of people. The chairs are so crowded, you can barely get by without stepping on someone. 5) laptops, iPads, etc allowed in this room where u will be spending HOURS... IF you are one of the lucky ones. I should have brought my headphones & a portable charger! 6) the ladies behind the desk are nice & professional. Thank you for that. 7) for all you lactating moms out there: no worries! Your baby will not starve! There's a private room in that jury waiting room to pump. It's like a closet but it's private (door has no lock but I'm trusting those ladies behind the desk to not let people in), windowless, has a sink (with soap & paper towels) & fridge. I had time to pump so that took a lot of stress out of being away from my baby! 8) lunch break is 90min long! There's a ramen place at Kent center across the street. The ramen is alright (I'm a ramen snob so the ramen was adequate but not worth a special return trip for). But it was perfect bc it was fast, clean & it was worthy of my lunchtime calories since I had to be there anyways & didn't want to lose my parking spot & I was craving ramen. There's also a Panera (good back up lunch option) & chipotle (but yuck, hate chipotle). 9) expect to be there until 4:30pm. apparently if you are not chosen for 1 jury, you are placed in the lottery for the other cases scheduled for that day. The good news is that if you aren't selected for the cases that day, you have fulfilled your requirement so you don't need to come back until summoned again. You're welcome. I still can't believe we only get $10/day (less than min wage?!?). My ramen was like $12... but at least I've fulfilled my civic duty. read more

After 8 years my husband and I finally decided that we were going to tie the know. We came to this one because it was right across the street from where we live. My wedding was the shortest procession that I've ever been in. The only hard part was getting the actual license. As with any government agency it's a hurry up and wait so bring your patience and something to keep you company because the average wait time was about an hour. Also be nice! The ladies were awesome in that office. Back to the ceremony we had to wait outside the courtroom as there was another couple ahead of us. Once in, I can't say enough good things about Judge Mahoney, she was so easy going and engaging. We loved the cute way she obsessed over my shoes. read more

I have been summoned for jury duty. Let the moaning and groaning begin. Not only do I have to take days off of work, which my employer won't pay me for, but I have to be in Kent. Just continue to twist the knife in my chest why don't you? I had to be in Kent at 8:00am sharp. Luckily the traffic wasn't starting to back up yet and I arrived in a timely manner. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center or also known as the Kent Regional Justice Center is a nice looking building I must say. I am not an architectural aficionado by any means but I can appreciate a well built and eye pleasing building. The parking lot is attached and is free which takes this justice center up a few notches above downtown. I walk into the building and find it clean and neat. But then again it was only built about ten or so years ago. The security line was lengthy but all the security proceeded to get us through quickly and were all very friendly. I see a sign pointing jurors to room 2E. I get in to find a room full of cushy chairs, vending machines, a kitchen area, and an enclosed office. I assumed we would be sitting in a room with benches and that is it. The kitchen area is stocked with a sink, a refrigerator, and a microwave. All the vending machines are functional except one. There are tables and chairs scattered about. But the best thing is this building is Wi-Fi enabled. Yes! I have something to pass the time! We are required to check in with the ladies in the enclosed office. They are personable enough. While the justice center doesn't have a cafeteria, there is a small cafe which serves sandwiches and across the street a new high end mini mall stands with plenty of food options. Being stuck in a room all day with strangers could have been a more annoying experience but the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center has helped to make the experience less strenuous. read more

Daycare Center Update only: ONLY use the daycare if you have to. Absolutely have to! Don't donate your jury reimbursements, as the court encourages you to do so!! Carolyn (SP?) whom is one of the few daycare teachers is a royal pain, very demeaning and frigid. Without going off on too much of a tangent, she belittled me in front of my step son for being late (unavoidable from the trial I was involved in) and to say less than I could, was absolutely horrific in her entire approach and demeanor. I was astounded. Literally, mouth agape and unable to retort with anything. BTW, as you may not be made aware of this prior to bringing your children here for the free "private" daycare service, they only allow you to enroll your child in two full days of child care total and do not be 2 minutes late!! Or late at all. They'll make sure to tell you when you show up and may also inform you that they are not a part of the courts (even though they are in the same building and are in business to serve as a center for child care with court business only), but are a "private" daycare center and the courts have "no ruling over them". Steer clear! read more

Crappy jail/passport/ court / They stop processing passport at 3:59pm. Horrible place, if you can avoid do so. Place is packed jam tight. Worlers dont care about people just about clocking out. Tanks alot state. read more

I love escape rooms and let me tell you, this one is a good one, escape room enthusiast and this one was a bit above my skill level, I tried and tried to find any clue to leave. The staff was 100 % in full costume and committed. The food was okay but at least they served food and refreshments during the long game. 5/5 stars. Will return for sure. read more

I came here for jury duty. They pay you $10 a day if your become a juror..... that's less than minimum wage... pretty sad. Meanwhile the judges and attornies are making 6 figure salaries. I have 3 children and work 2 jobs (50+ hours a week) and this is causing a huge financial stress on them. The judge is sexist against men so please beware. Thank you for wasting my time. I gave this place a 1 star because at least they pay you $10 just to come here. Such a joke read more

I feel like every one who works here hates their job. Their customer service is so bad and they honestly seem like they don't care about the people that come in there. They don't understand that the court side is so confusing for people who don't normally have anything to do with it. They need to work on how they treat people. read more

This is the worst facility ever.. parking is atrocious.. smells awful.. elevators always broken.. it's pathetic.. but I guess what can you expect in Washington state.. it's typical of "where do the tax dollars go?" Certainly not for the things that help taxpayers... like roads or federal/state buildings? Whoever designed the system at Maleng must have been the cheapest. read more

Got called for Jury Duty....The entire process has been so easy - I got there early enough so that I didn't have to rush....The people at the security screening are kind of rude - just like TSA...The jury room is big with comfortable chairs and a kitchenette...I am in a jury poole right now so I have to go back again to see if I'm picked, and if so, it will be 3 weeks... read more