Marion County Circuit Court is one of three courts in Marion County that handle traffic violations. Our traffic department is located at our Criminal Court Annex at 4000 Aumsville Highway SE, Salem, OR 97317.
Traffic offenses are violations not a crime. As such, you do not have the same rights as a criminal defendant. If you plead or are found guilty the court is mandated to impose a fine and may reduce the fine by no more than 50 percent. The following briefly explains these choices and their possible consequences:
- No Contest or Guilty - Depending upon your driving record; your fine might be reduced by up to 50 percent. Your plea will be taken by the Violations Bureau clerk and you will not go before the judge. If you are unable to pay the fine completely at one time, the court will, in most cases, allow you to make regular, periodic payments toward the fine.
- Pleading Not Guilty - You may choose to either have a trial in person, or by declaration. If you choose an in-person trial, you will be mailed a new court date. At this court date both you and the office will present your evidence to a judge, and the judge will make a decision on your case. If you choose trial by declaration, you and the office will both fill out a declaration. Once both declarations are received, a judge will review them and make a decision. If you decide you want to go before the judge, you should understand that they will not have the discretion to reduce your fine by more than 50 percent, and may sentence you to the maximum fine, which is higher than that listed on your citation.
Where do I take care of a parking ticket?
The Circuit Court is a state court and parking tickets are issued by city or municipal courts. You will need to contact the municipal court in the city that issued the ticket. Oregon State Parks do file parking citations with our Traffic Department which is located at the Circuit Court Annex, 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE Salem, OR 97317.