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Traffic Cases

Traffic Violations

Traffic Violations are offenses that are punishable by a fine, but that are not punishable by a term of imprisonment. Violations include Traffic, Boating, Fish & Wildlife, State Parks, Animal Control, City and County Ordinances and are handled through the Violations Bureau.

The 22nd Judicial District has established a Violations Bureau under ORS 153.800.  Any person who receives a traffic violation may appear before the Violations Bureau.  The Violations Bureau authorizes a violations clerk to accept a plea of no contest or not guilty on violations that do not require a mandatory court appearance.

  1. ​If you fail to follow the instructions on the summons THE COURT MAY ISSUE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST and/or may suspend your license if you fail to appear on a citation for a traffic offense.
  2. THE COURT MAY SEND YOU A NOTICE AND REQUIRE YOU TO APPEAR AT THE COURT FOR A HEARING.
  3. For traffic offenses, this record will be sent to the licensing authority of the state where you are licensed to drive to decide if a license suspension is appropriate.
  4. For violations, you must notify the court and the prosecuting attorney's office before you are required to appear in court if you are going to have an attorney represent you.
  5. For violations, if you do not pay the full presumptive fine amount in advance and do not appear, the court may enter a conviction and a judgment against you for more than the presumptive fine up to the maximum penalty allowed by law for charged offense(s) including the maximum fines, restitution, and other costs.

​When you appear at the courthouse for your trial, you will need to be prepared to present your case at the time listed on your trial notice.

  • Shirts and shoes are required.
  • Caps and hats must be removed upon entering the courtroom.
  • Food and drinks are not allowed in the courtroom.
  • Weapons are not allowed in any area of the courthouse.
  • Pagers, cell phones and all other electronic devices which may disrupt the proceeding must be turned off.
  • Audio and tape recording is not permitted without prior approval of the court.

​The 22nd Judicial District allows a one time extension for the appearance date on the summons, which request must be made before the appearance date listed on the summons.  If you don’t request an extension, you must appear on or before the appearance date listed on the summons. 

​It is important to read your traffic summons, front and back as it contains important information such as:

  • If you have been charged with a CRIME or VIOLATION;
  • Where you MUST appear;
  • The type of offense(s) committed;
  • The presumptive fine amount imposed for each offense; and
  • Your court appearance Date, Time and Location.
If you are charged with a CRIME you must appear at the time and place set by the summons. If the charge is for a VIOLATION you must DO ONE (only one) of the following:
 
Option 1 - Enter a plea of No Contest and pay the presumptive fee by appearing personally or by telephone. You may appear any day after the citation has been received by the court. However, you must appear on or before the appearance date indicated on the bottom of your citation. The traffic bureau is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.* Monday through Friday in both Madras and Prineville.
 
* Telephones and Public Service Counters are available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 
NOTE: A "drop box" is available to accept public walk-in payments and filings from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday excluding court holidays. Documents and payments will be stamped as received that same day. Please include the citation number with payments.
Option 2 - Enter a plea of no contest and send a letter of explanation. You must do all of the following before the day and time the citation requires you to appear in court. If you respond by mail, the mail must arrive at the court before you are required to appear.
 
  1. Sign/date the citation; AND
  2. Send or take to the court the citation and the full amount of the presumptive fine; AND
  3. Attach a written statement explaining the circumstances of the violations(s) charged.
IMPORTANT: If you choose this option, you will make a written appearance and waive your right to trial. The court may consider your written statement when establishing the amount of the fine. The court cannot impose a fine that is less than the minimum fine amount. If the court finds you guilty, the court may keep all or part of the money you pay. The court will not fine you more without giving you notice to come to the court for a hearing.
 
Option 3 - Enter a Plea of not guilty and request a trial by doing one of the following:
 
  1. Go to the court on or before the day and time written on the front of the citation to plead not guilty and request a trial; OR
  2. Submit a written request for a trial by doing all of the following before the day and time the citation requires you to appear in court. If you respond by mail, the mail must arrive at the court before you are required to appear.  
    1. Sign and date the citation; AND
    2. Send or take to the court the citation by itself or with a written request for a trial.
IMPORTANT: You have a right to a trial. The court will give you notice of the time and place when you MUST appear in person and may impose penalties if you do not appear. The court may require you to deposit money to assure your appearance if you failed to appear on any offense charges in the past. If the court finds at trial that you are guilty, the court cannot impose a fine that is less than the minimum fine amount. The court will not impose a fine if it finds you not guilty.
 
Option 4  - Trial by Declaration.  Anyone is eligible for a Trial by Declaration (written statement), however, you must request a Trial By Declaration. You will be notified by mail and be given a date by which your declaration must be received at the Court. You may then file your declaration explaining circumstances about the violation with which you were charged. The law enforcement officer who issued the citation will also have the opportunity to file a declaration in support of the charge. A judge will then make a decision based upon the written declarations.

​If you receive a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles notifying you that your license is going to be suspended, you will need to contact the DMV for details regarding the suspension or restrictions.

Make a Payment Now!

​All monies imposed in traffic judgments are due at the time of sentencing unless deferred payment arrangements are made with the Court.  An additional fee will be imposed whenever any part of a judgment is left unpaid 30 days from the date the judgment is entered into the trial court record, or when you and the Court establish a payment schedule that runs beyond the 30-day period, whichever is earlier. ($50.00 fee if the amount still owing is less than $150.00; $125.00 if the amount still owing is between $150.00 and $399.99; and $200.00 if the amount still owing is $400.00 or more.) The fee is imposed on the 30th day regardless of weekends, holidays or court closures. It is your responsibility to ensure payment is received PRIOR to the 30th day to avoid the additional fee. Payment may be made in cash, check or money order payable to State of Oregon, or by Visa or Mastercard (including debit). Credit or debit payments can be made on-line or over the phone.  Please view the OJD Courts ePay page to find out more information about paying on-line. Please include the case/citation number with the payment to ensure your account is properly credited, and a current address and phone number so a refund (if any) can be mailed to the correct location.
All monies imposed in traffic judgments are due at the time of sentencing or when you and the Court establish a payment schedule that runs beyond the 30-day period, whichever is earlier.    

  • $50 fee if the amount still owing is less than $150.00;
  • $125 fee if the amount still owing is between $150.00 and $399.00; or
  • $200 fee if the amount still owing is $400.00 or more.

​An appeal from a judgment of this court must be filed with the Oregon Court of Appeals in Salem.  An appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date the judgment was entered into the trial court record.

Attn:  Records Section
Appellate Court Administrator
Supreme Court Building
1163 State Street
Salem, Oregon  97310
503.986.5555

To download traffic violation appeal forms go to the Court of Appeals forms.