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Violations

Violations include citations for: traffic, fish and game, state park, minor in possession of alcohol and truancy.Please review your citation for your appearance date and time. In most instances you may make your first appearance by telephone  on or before your appearance date.

You may handle your case any of these ways:

You may be eligible to have your fine reduced.  If you choose to appear by mail, include your written request for a reduced fine along with the completed citation and the full presumptive fine amount listed on your citation.  No matter how you appear, your rights to a trial or eligibility for a fine reduction are the same.

You may plead one of two ways:

  • If you plead No Contest: the violations clerk will assess a fine using a schedule set by the Chief Justice in accordance with Oregon law. Reductions are based on your driving record (driving offences only).
  • If you plead Not Guilty: your case will be set for trial on a future date and you will receive a trial notice in the mail. You must keep the court advised of your mailing address at all times. You may choose to have your trial by declaration. You must submit a Violation Election Form with your declaration to the court. If you choose not to testify you do not have to submit a declaration, however, the court will consider the officer's declaration in reaching a decision.

Violation Election and Violation Trial by Declaration - Defendant's Form

Violation Trial by Declaration - Officer's Form

Failure To Appear

You must appear on or before your first appearance date by telephone, mail, online or in person. If you do not appear and resolve your ticket by entering a no contest or a not guilty plea, the clerk will enter a default judgment. When a default judgment is entered, the entire presumptive fine is charged along with any additional fees or assessments.

Violations Trials

When you appear at the courthouse or by video for your trial be prepared to present your case at the time listed on your trial notice. You do not have to testify if you do not want to. If you choose not to testify, the judge will not hold that against you and will base his or her decision on the evidence that is presented. If you fail to appear for trial after a plea of not guilty, the court will take testimony from the officer and make a ruling from the evidence presented.Please be respectful and practice good courthouse etiquette.