Traffic and Other Violations

First Appearance (Arraignment)

Your first court appearance, also called an arraignment, is scheduled by the officer who issued your citation. Check your citation for the date, time, and location.

Before Your Court Date

Unless your citation requires a mandatory appearance before a judge, you may enter a plea before your arraignment date.

No Contest Plea

You may enter a No Contest plea in person, online, by mail, or by phone.
Contact a court clerk—you may be eligible for a fine reduction.
Your fine is due in full when you enter your plea, or you may set up a payment plan in person.
Accepted payments: cash, check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.

Not Guilty Plea

You may enter a Not Guilty plea in person, by mail, or by fax to request a trial.
Include your current address and daytime phone number.

By Mail

Select a plea option on your citation, sign and date it, and mail it so it is received before your arraignment date.
If pleading No Contest, include a check or money order. Do not send cash.

Appearing in Court

You may appear in person on your arraignment date:

Enter a No Contest plea at the clerk window or before the judge and explain the violation if you wish.
Enter a Not Guilty plea in the courtroom. The judge will explain the trial process.
The citing officer will not appear until the trial.

If you cannot appear as scheduled, contact the court clerk before your court date to request a change.

Failure to Appear

If you do not appear or enter a plea:

You may be found guilty by default.
A fine will be imposed.
Your driving privileges may be suspended and the case sent to collections.

Important Note

You cannot file paperwork or enter a plea by email. Email does not count as a court appearance. Pleas must be submitted by mail, fax, phone, or in person.

Mandatory Court Appearance

You must appear before a judge on your arraignment date for the following violations:

Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Providing alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person
Minor in Possession of Marijuana
Speeding 100 mph or more
Second Fish and Wildlife offense

Trials and Other Options

Trials
At trial, the officer presents the case. You may ask questions, present evidence, or hire an attorney. The judge decides whether you are Guilty or Not Guilty.

Trial by Declaration
If you cannot attend trial in person, you may submit written testimony. Forms are available online or at the court. Your declaration must be received by the trial date.

If you do not submit your declaration on time, a default judgment will be entered.

Classes
The court does not offer classes to dismiss a violation. A judge may require an education class in addition to a fine.

Appeals
If found Guilty, you may appeal under ORS 138.057. Court staff cannot provide legal advice.