Sheriff

The Purpose of the Law

Focus on driving and put away the distractions.

Basic Requirement

It is illegal to drive while holding or using an electronic device (e.g. cell phone, tablet, GPS, laptop).

Exceptions

The law does not apply to the following:

• When using hands-free or built-in devices, if 18 years of age or older
• Use of a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate the device or a function
• While providing or summoning medical help and no one else is available to make the call
• When parked safely, i.e., stopped at the side of the road or in a designated parking spot. (NOTE: It is NOT legal to use the device when stopped at a stoplight, stop sign, in traffic, etc.)
• Truck or bus drivers following the federal rules for CDL holders
• Using a two-way radio: CB users, school bus drivers, utility truck drivers in the scope of employment
• Ambulance or emergency vehicle operators in the scope of employment
• Police, fire, EMS providers in the scope of employment, (can include when in a personal vehicle if, for example, when responding to an emergency call)
• HAM radio operators, age 18 years or older

Some are "affirmative defenses," which means you may need to prove to the court.

Fines

Course for First-Time Offenders

For a first offense that does not contribute to a crash, the court may suspend the fine* if the driver completes an approved distracted driving avoidance course, and shows proof to the court, within four months.

* Only the fine is suspended—the violation will still be recorded on the offender's driving record.

Our Traffic Enforcement Unit was created in 1996 to supplement the highway-patrol efforts of the Oregon State Police -- providing an even more focused enforcement effort on county roadways.

While our Traffic Team enforces all traffic laws, it puts a special emphasis on violations that cause motor-vehicle accidents; violations in and around schools; and failing to stop for school buses. Other duties include:

• Assisting Patrol Deputies in completing accident reports
• Responding to citizen-reported traffic problems
• Keeping an eye on predicted "problem areas" (based on information received from crime analysis)
• Participating in special enforcement activities as a result of holidays and events where alcohol is consumed.
• Assisting other agencies with traffic-related problems
• Presenting traffic-safety programs to schools and civic groups throughout Clackamas County

Traffic Team members have completed an 80-hour basic police motorcycle operator's course, as well as a state commercial-vehicle inspection course.

• Sheriff's Cadets
• Neighborhood Watch
• Reserves
• Sheriff's Posse
• Ride Along
• Crime Prevention Resources

Scheduling a Tour

Jail tours are limited to times when prisoner privacy can be reasonably assured -- with security being the most important consideration.

Tours will not be scheduled during meal times, or at times when large numbers of adults in custody are being transported either to or from other institutions or courts. Young persons who are not likely to benefit from a Jail tour shall not be included in any group traveling beyond the control room of the Jail.

If you are interested in a group tour, please contact Deputy Eric Nall at 503-722-6170.

Tours must be scheduled at least 10 days in advance, and are limited to 15 people at a time.

Tour Details

The Corrections Deputy conducting the tour will introduce him- or herself to the tour group. The tour introduction includes a handout outlining Jail facts, functions and statistics.

After the presentation, the tour group will be escorted through the facility to see the various areas and functions of the Jail and receive more in-depth information on the Jail's role in the community.

The tour lasts approximately one hour. Total time for the presentation and tour is approximately one-and-a-half hours.

Age Restriction

The Corrections Deputy determines whether or not a member of the tour is old enough to benefit from a tour of the Jail beyond the sally port. As a general rule, a person 12 years old or younger would not benefit from a tour.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office leads an interagency Crisis Negotiation Team.

The team's trained negotiators respond with SWAT and CERT teams to people in crisis, in both patrol and corrections settings.

The team includes members from:

• Oregon City Police
• Canby Police
• Milwaukie Police
• Lake Oswego Police
• West Linn Police
• The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Jail, Patrol and Investigations Divisions

Negotiators attend either the 40-hour FBI Basic Hostage Negotiation Class or 40-hour Crisis Systems Management class after being selected for the team.

Negotiators also receive a minimum of 150 hours of in-house and outside training per year.

Team-member roles in crisis situations include:

• Team Leader
• Primary Negotiator
• Secondary Negotiator
• Driver
• Navigator
• Intelligence Coordinator
• Intelligence Gathering
• Scribe
• Boards

The Sheriff's Office Marine Unit conducts hull inspections at the request of the Oregon State Marine Board to complete your registration process. The Marine Board will send you a letter requesting this inspection. Please bring the letter with you to your inspection.

The hull inspection ensures that the vessel information for your title and registration is correct. It does not tell you whether your boat is seaworthy or not.

When is a hull inspection required?

A hull inspection is required when the Oregon State Marine Board has determined that the boat needs an inspection.

Possible reasons could include:

• When a boat is previously registered from another state;
• When a boat is homemade.
• When there is a discrepancy between the HIN on the title and the HIN plate on the vessel.

Learn more on OSMB's webpage.

How do I get a hull inspection?

If you’re a Clackamas County resident and the Oregon State Marine Board requires a HIN inspection, contact the Marine Unit by email to schedule an inspection. In your email, leave a message with name and phone number, and note that you are requesting a HIN Inspection.

The Marine Unit will return your message and schedule an inspection time.

Inspections are usually done at Clackamette Park near the boat ramp, or at Sportcraft Marina.

Marine Unit main page

Watch this page for information on upcoming CCSO meetings, conferences and other events.

Recruiting Team appearances

Our Recruiting team appears at job fairs and community events around the county and region. Visit JoinCCSO.com/events to see a list of future recruiting dates.

If you clicked "EXIT" and did NOT complete the ePay process, and you'd like to pay in person or by mail, or start over, please select the following option that applies to you:

For Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL)

• Return to mail CHL info page
• Start a new online CHL application
• Learn more about our Public Safety Training Center & Indoor Shooting Range

Security Release

The Clackamas County Jail processes bail as quickly and efficiently as possible. Once bail is posted, it may take 20-30 minutes to receive a receipt for bail. There are times however, when it could take two hours or longer before an adult in custody is released.

Persons wishing to bail an adult in custody can do so 24 hours a day -- by going to the Clackamas County jail lobby and notifying the reception deputy they wish to post bail for an adult in custody.

The person posting will be required to have photo ID and fill out a Citizen Bail form.

You must have the exact cash amount. The Clackamas County Jail DOES NOT ACCEPT personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, traveler's checks, credit cards, debit cards or coins.

Persons posting bail have three options available to them:

1. Persons may post the entire amount.
2. Persons may post a portion of the bail amount, with the adult in custody posting the remainder. In either case, the person will receive a receipt for his/her portion when available.
3. Person may place monies on the adult in custody's account. However, the person posting the monies will not receive a bail receipt, but will receive a receipt that money was placed on the adult in custody's account.

Persons posting bail should be aware that the court will retain 15% of the posted amount as a security release. The court may also order that fines or fees be paid from the posted amount. Failure to show for a scheduled court date may result in seizure of the bail amount.

Court Recognizance Release

Once the courts have released an adult in custody, it is the policy of the Clackamas County Jail that the adult in custody be released as soon as possible. However, if the courts released an adult in custody during arraignment, the adult in custody will be released after 7 p.m.

Recognizance Release

It is the policy of the Clackamas County Jail that the supervising Corrections Sergeant on duty is authorized to release on personal recognizance any person held for the courts of Clackamas County on probable-cause arrest who is charged with a non-violent misdemeanor, including crimes or infractions, provided such person:

1. Is a resident and has an address in the State of Oregon.
2. Is not under the influence of alcohol of drugs at the time of release. (Adults in custody may not be released until they are a .04 BAC.)
3. Has been the immediate subject of a State Bureau record check showing:
   1. No holds or wants from any other jurisdiction
   2. If held on a Clackamas County detainer or warrant, does not have a "NO BAIL" provision
   3. No parole or probation status, except Clackamas County misdemeanor probation
   4. No recent record of escape or failure to appear in court
4. Executes a recognizance agreement
5. Promises to appear in court on the date directed by the releasing officer
6. Has not been accused of a crime of violence unless otherwise determined at the discretion of the sergeant

Such supervising corrections sergeant may, at his/her discretion, deny recognizance release to any person otherwise qualified who appears to be a threat to the community.

Such sergeant may likewise impose reasonable conditions in conjunction with recognizance release (i.e. restrictions of place of residence, no contact with alleged victim(s), no contact with complaining witnesses, etc.).

Forced Release

Forced release reduces the overcrowding of the Clackamas County Jail -- under guidelines set down by the Consent Decree, as directed by federal mandate -- while trying to ensure the incarceration of those adults in custody who pose a threat to the public.

The forced-release schedule is for overcrowding, and will go into effect only when the Jail has achieved 90% or greater of its housing capacity. When the Classification Deputy has determined that the Jail population has reached or exceeded 90% capacity, the deputy will generate a list and select those individuals who are eligible for forced release. The classification deputy will forward the list to the Booking Office specialists and the Sergeant for review and subsequent release.

It is the policy of the Clackamas County Jail to ensure that the releases are done objectively, without discrimination against any adult in custody -- regardless of physical handicap, sex, race, creed, cultural background, or origin -- while maintaining the highest level of safety to the general public.