If your case has been convicted for “failure to appear," that means a default judgment has been entered against you. You are now responsible for the full amount of the fine. Additionally, your license may be suspended. You may have been defaulted for one of the following three reasons:
- You did not file a response to your citation.
- You filed a response, but your response was missing information and could not be processed.
- You did not appear at the court hearing you requested.
Below are the three options you have available to resolve your citation:
- Navigate to our ePay website and pay your fine.
- Set-up a payment plan by calling 971-274-0560 or emailing Mul.FinancialDept@ojd.state.or.us.
- File a Motion for Relief from Default Judgment.
Or
Click here to file a Motion for Relief from Default Judgment electronically.
Instructions for Motion for Relief from Default Judgment
- Fill out the linked form above in its entirety. On the declaration page, explain why you did not respond to your citation by your appear by date. You may include any proof or documents you would like the judge to review with your Motion..
- Pay the full amount of the fine with your motion. The full amount of the fine is due with your filed Motion. If you cannot pay the full amount of the fine, please write why in your declaration.
- Submit your documents and payment. When your paperwork is complete, mail your documents and payment to: Multnomah County Circuit Court PO Box 114 Portland, OR 97207. Payments should be made in the form of check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH. Make your check or money order payable to the State of Oregon and include your case number on your payment.
You may also file your Motion and payment in person. Go to the East County Courthouse or Downtown Courthouse between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday – Friday.
Once the court has received your paperwork and payment, a clerk will route your Motion to a judge for review. Please allow 90 days for full processing.
You should contact the court at 971-274-0545, option 2, or send an email to Mul.TrafficDept@ojd.state.or.us, to find out the status of your motion 3-4 weeks after your documents were filed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Motion for Relief from Default Judgment Process:
My license has been suspended, how can I get that removed?
The license suspension will only be removed once you have either: (1) paid the full amount of the fine; or, (2) set-up a payment plan and made a down payment.
Why do I have to pay the full amount of the fine to file a Motion for Relief from Default Judgment?
Supplemental Local Rule (SLR) 16.065(3)(b) says: The motion must be accompanied by full payment of any fines and accumulated fees owing on the judgment. This requirement may be waived if the motion is accompanied by evidence of indigence or the recipient presents the motion in-person to a judicial officer and the judicial officer exercises his or her discretion to waive payment.*
*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not currently holding walk-in court for Traffic Citations. If you submit your Motion with information about your financial situation and why you were unable to pay the full amount of your fine with your Motion, the Motion will be routed to a judge for review.
Are there any fees associated with a payment plan?
Yes. If your payment plan will last longer than 12 months before the balance is paid in full, the Court will impose a $25 for fee in accordance with ORS 1.202(1) and ORS 1.202(2).
How can I set-up a payment plan?
You can set-up a payment plan by either calling 971-274-0560 or emailing Mul.FinancialDept@ojd.state.or.us.
Am I eligible for a fine reduction?
No. Once a default judgment has been entered against you, you are no longer eligible for a fine reduction.
But what if this was my first ticket?
Unfortunately, once a default judgment has been entered against you a fine reduction based on your driving history is no longer an option.
Can I take a class?
No. Once a default judgment has been entered against you, you are no longer eligible for any class offers you may have had available to you.
What happens if my Motion for Relief from Default Judgment is Denied?
If your Motion is denied, you will be held responsible for the full amount of the fine.
What happens if my Motion for Relief from Default Judgment is Granted?
If your Motion is granted, the judge may order you to do one or more things. The next step in your case will depend on what the judge orders. They may order you to appear for trial, pay a reduced fine, or submit more documentation. If the judge wants the case set for trial, you will receive a trial notice in the mail at the address we have on file, once the trial has been set.
How do I know how the judge ruled on my Motion?
You should contact the court at 971-274-0545, option 2, or email at Mul.TrafficDept@ojd.state.or.us, 3-4 weeks after you submitted your Motion.
I never received the original citation, why do I have to go through this process?
Unfortunately, if you are the named driver and a default judgment has been entered, your only option to challenge the citation is by filing a Motion for Relief from Default Judgment.