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Criminal Cases

If you've been charged with a crime or need to go to criminal court, this page will help you understand what to expect.

You'll find information about: 

  • How to apply for a court-appointed attorney
  • Court calendars and hearing schedules
  • Information about bail
  • How to take care of your warrant
  • How violations are handled

​​​ ​Who is Eligibile?

You may be able to get a court-appointed attorney at no cost to you if:

  • You are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. 
  • You are involved in a juvenile case, such as:
    • Dependency (abuse or neglect)
    • Termination of Parental Rights
    • Juvenile Delinquency
You cannot get a court appointed attorney in civil cases, such as:
  • ​Divorce or Custody (domestic relations)
  • Personal Injury
  • Landlord/ Tenant
  • Bankruptcy
  • Employment cases

​​​ ​How to Ap​ply

To ask for a court appointed attorney you need to complete and file an Affidavit of Eligibility (PDF)​ with the court.  You can get the form at the courthouse or download it online and:

  • Apply at your first court appearance, or
  • Apply before your arraignment date.

​​ ​Cost

​There is usually a $20 application fee, even if your request is denied, and depending on your financial situation you may have to pay a contribution amount towards the cost of your attorney. 

If you are convicted, the court may require you to pay some or all of the attorney's cost if it finds you are able to do so.  

 ​How to Submit Your Application

The court prefers that you apply online using the Guide & File System.​

If you can't apply online, you can:

  • Pick up a paper application at the Trial Court Adminstrator's front counter, or
  • Download and print it from the Court Appointed Attorney .
Completed paper applications can be returned in the following ways:
  • ​By mail,
  • In person at the front counter,
  • In the drop box in the courthouse lobby.
​​Important: ​ Be sure to include a contact address and phone number on your application.  The court will follow up with you by mail or phone. ​​​

​​​ ​Need Help?

​Call 503-397-2327 and ask for the Court Verifier. 

​​​ ​What Happens if I Don't Qualify?

You will need to hire your own attorney.  The Oregon State Bar has information, a lawyer referral service, and a Modest Means Program.

Other Local Resources:

The Columbia County Indigent Defense Corporation

  • ​Phone: 503-366-1790
  • Email:  ccconsortium@gmail.com
​Justice Alliance of Columbia County​
  • Phone: 971-813-6245
  • Email: admin@jacclawyers.com ​

The Columbia County Circuit Court follows two key principles to manage criminal cases:

  1. Every hearing should be meaningful
  2. Unnecessary delays should be avoided
​This helps ensure cases move forward and fairly. ​

​​ ​Hearings That Require In-Person Attendance

If you are scheduled for any of the following hearings, you must appear in person at the courthouse:

  • Out-of-Custody Arraignments
  • Pretrial Conferences
  • Judicial Settlement Conferences
  • Trials

​​ ​Find Your Hearing Date and Time

To check when and where your hearing is scheduled, visit the Oregon eCourt Circuit Court Calendars​.​

​ ​What is Security Release (Bail)?

​During a criminal case a judge might set an amount of security, or bail, for your case.  This means you must pay the amount before you can be released from custody.  This amount can be increased or decreased by the court at any time. 

​Where Can I Post Bail?

You can post bail at:

  • The Columbia County Sheriff's Office ​
    ​901 Port Avenue 
    St. Helens, OR 97051

    ​​ 503-366-4611

  • The Trial Court Administrator's Office
    • 230 Strand Street
    St. Helens, OR 97051
    ​​ ​503-366-2327​

​​​​​Before visiting, contact the location to confirm their hours and find out if they have any special requirements to post bail.

​What Types of Payment Are Accepted?

Payment must be one of the following:

  • ​Cash​​​
  • Credit or debit card
    • ​Your bank may charge nonrefundable fees.  Check with your bank before paying with this option. ​​​

​​ Before You Post Bail - Important Information

  1. ​The court automatically keeps 15% of the bail amount (minimum $5, maximum $750). 

  2. ​Unless the judge orders otherwise, the court will use the bail money to pay:​

    • Any fines or fees in the case it was posted for
    • Any other debts the defendant owes in Oregon (including child support arrears)
  1. ​​​​​​If the defendant fails to appear in court: 
    • The court may forfeit the full bail amount
    • A security judgment may be issued for the full bail amount
      • ​​​Example:  If bail is set at $10,000 and you post $1,000 (10%), you may still be responsible for the full $10,000 if the defendat fails to appear.

​​​​​ ​Refunds​

​If you posted bail and the case has been resolved or the bail was released by the court, you may be eligible for a refund.  

  • Refunds are mailed to the person who posted bail once the case is closed or the bail is exonerated
  • Refunds are sent to the address listed on the bail receipt.  If your address changes, you must submit a written request to the court. 
​ ​Important​ 
If someone other than the defendant deposits money into the Inmate Trust Account, and the defendant uses that money to self-bail, the refund will go to the defendant​, not the person who deposited the funds. ​

If you failed to appear for a scheduled court date and a warrant was issued for your arrest, contact the court immediately​ at 503-397-2327 ext. 24014 to schedule an appearance on the warrant.  ​

 ​What to Expect

When you contact the court, the process is usually straightfoward.  A court clerk will will get you a new court date.  Here's how to prepare: 

  • ​Have your information ready:  Be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth, and case number (if you know it).
  • If you can't reach the clerk right away: Leave a voicemail with your name, date of birth, case number (if you known), and your phone number.  A clerk will return your call as soon as they are able.
  • You'll be scheduled for a new appearance:  The clerk will set a date to appear in court so you can address your warrant.  Warrant appearances are held on Mondays at 9:00 AM.​
  • Ask questions if you're unsure:  ​Court staff can explain the next steps, but cannot give legal advice. 
​ ​Important
  • ​Your warrant will not be cleared until you appear at your newly scheduled court date. 
  • If you are not scheduled in advance, there is no guarantee the court will be able to see you that day.  
  • If you are represented by an attorney, ​they must ask for your warrant appearance - please contact them. 

You may have recieved a citation (ticket) for things like:

  • ​Traffic Violations
  • Fish and game Violations
  • State park Violations
  • Minor in possession of alcohol
  • Truancy (not going to school)
​ ​Check your ticket for your court date and time (found at the bottom of your ticket).

​ ​How to "Appear" in Court

You don't always have to go to the courthouse in person.  

You can "appear" by calling the Violations Clerk at:
​​​​ ​503-397-2327 ext. 24010​​​

​ ​Your Plea Options

  1. ​ No Contest
    • ​You aren't saying you're guilty, but you're not fighting the ticket.
    • You give up your right to trial. 
    • The court will decide your fine when you enter this plea.

  2. ​ Not Guilty
    • ​You are saying you did not commit the violation.
    • The court will schedule a trial. 
    • You'll get a notice in the mail with your trial date. 
    • At trial, you can bring evidence and witnesses.

  3. ​ Trial by Declaration
    • ​​You can choose to have your trial in writing instead of going to court. 
    • Fill out a Violation Election (PDF) and send it to the courthouse with your Trial by Declaration (PDF).
    • If you don't want to write a statement, the judge will make a decision off the officer's report. 

​​ ​If You Don't Show Up

If you don't don't contact the court or appear by your court date:

  • The court will enter a default judgment.​
  • You'll be charged the full fine and possibly extra fees. ​​

​​ ​Going to Trial

If you go to court for a trial:

  • Be on time and ready to present your case.
  • You don't have to testify​ if you don't want to. 
  • The judge will make a decision based on the evidence. 
  • If you miss your trial after pleading not guilty, the judge may decide the case without you.  

​ ​Got a Drug Possession Ticket?

A new law (Measure 110) changed how Oregon handles some drug possession cases.  If your ticket is for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and: 

  • It says "PCS" or "Possession"
  • The fine is $100
  • It lists one of these law numbers:
    • ORS 475.752(3)(a)-(d)
    • ORS 475.824
    • ORS 475.834
    • ORS 475.854
    • ORS 475.874
    • ORS 475.884
    • ORS 475.894
​Then you have special options.  

​ ​Possession of Controlled Substance (PCS) Violation Options

  1. ​ ​Plead Not Guilty
    • ​​​Call the court at 503-397-2327 ext. 24010 to "appear".
    • You can also come to the courthouse and appear. 

  2. ​​Plead No Contest and Pay the Fine
  3. ​ Ask for a Lower Fine
    • ​Call the court to ask for a hearing. 

  4. ​ Get a Health Assessment and Avoid the Fine
    • ​Call 503-575-3769 (available 24/7).
    • Say you want a Measure 110 health assessment
    • Complete the assessment within 45 days of your ticket. 
    • You'll get a verification letter.
    • Send the original letter to the court.  Keep a copy for yourself. 
    • The court will waive the fine​, but the violation will still be on your record. ​​

​​​​​ ​Need Help or Have Questions?

​Call the court at 503-397-2327 ext. 24010 - we're happy to help.