Appearance & Plea

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You are required to respond to your citation by making an appearance in Court. You must appear on or before the Court date shown on your citation.  

How to Appear

In Person: You may appear in person at the front counter during office hours.  Minor traffic and municipal code violations may be handled by a clerk on or prior to your court date.  In most cases, if you are cited for a violation your appearance in person is not required.  If you are charged with a misdemeanor or are a juvenile, you must appear before the Judge on the date listed on your citation or on the release paperwork from the jail.  

In Writing- You may enter your plea in writing for traffic and municipal code violations. Your written appearance must be received by the Court on or before your court date.

Failure to Appear

If you fail to appear by the appearance date listed on your citation the following actions may occur:

  • Suspension of your driving privileges;
  • A default judgment entered by the Court as authorized by ORS 153.102;
  • Referral to a collection agency; 
  • Warrant issued for your arrest on criminal cases.

 

Entry of Plea

When you make your appearance in Court, you must enter a plea to each of the charges against you.  You may enter a plea of "guilty," "no contest," or "not guilty."  If you fail to enter a plea, the Court will enter a "Guilty by Default" judgment for violation cases and will issue a warrant on criminal cases.

Plea of Guilty:  Admits every material element of the charge. The Judge will proceed to sentencing on the matter. You may explain any circumstances you want to the Judge before sentence is imposed

Plea of No Contest: Has the same legal effect as a guilty plea. It is an admission that if the matter were to proceed to trial that the City would be able to prove its case. You may explain any circumstances you want to the Judge before sentence is imposed.

Plea of Not Guilty: Denies every material element of the charge. If the charge is a criminal charge, you may request the Court appoint you an attorney. You will need to fill out an application for a court appointed attorney. If you qualify, the Court will appoint one to represent you. The Court will set the case for a Pretrial Conference date that you are required to appear back in Court. If the charge is a violation, you do not have the right to a court appointed attorney but you may retain your own attorney. The Court will set a trial date for you. Please note, if you are found guilty at trial, traffic school will not be offered, and the conviction will be entered on your driving record.       

 

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