Criminal

General Information

Douglas County Circuit Court presides over felony, misdemeanor, probation violations, and violations (include traffic) cases. The criminal clerk’s office is located on the second floor of the Douglas County Justice Building in Roseburg, Oregon.

Court staff are not permitted to give legal advice or advise you about which forms need to be filed. Parties research the issue themselves or contact an attorney.

The court web pages only contain information on criminal charges that have been filed by the prosecutor’s office. They do not contain information on matters that may be under investigation by a law enforcement agency.

This page provides some basic general information including definitions of various classes of offenses with which a person may be charged.

It is the job of law enforcement to investigate possible criminal acts.

Based on the information, the District Attorney will make a decision whether or not to charge a particular person(s) in court. When the charges are filed, the defendant must appear in court to answer them. The first appearance is generally referred to as “arraignment”. At arraignment, the defendant is told what the charges are against him/her, informed of their rights, and given the opportunity to obtain an attorney.

Security (BAIL) Information

1. The Court may order the deposit forfeited to the State of Oregon if the defendant violates the conditions of release. The court may also enter judgment against you for the entire amount of security set against the defendant, not just the amount you post.
2. No money may be refunded until all matters in this case are completed in Court. If the defendant is found guilty, no money can be refunded until after sentencing.
3. The Court must retain 15%, but not less than $5.00 or more than $750.00 of the amount deposited.
4. The Court may find the defendant has the ability to pay a financial obligation and may order that the defendant pay a fine, costs, restitution, attorney fees or other financial obligations.
5. The money posted will be applied against the obligations of the defendant, including future or past child support, in this case or any other case of the same defendant in this court or any other circuit court in the State of Oregon, unless the Court expressly directs otherwise on its own or at your request.
6. Any funds eligible to be returned will be applied to any obligations in this Court or any other circuit court in the State of Oregon, owed by the party posting the funds, before any balance will be refunded.
7. The unused portions of a security deposit can only be refunded to the person who made the deposit as shown by the receipt.
8. No money will be refunded until the Court has issued a signed order releasing the funds.
9. Under Federal regulations, the Court is required to notify the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office if more than $10,000 is posted by any party.