A traffic ticket is a violation.  These are not criminal charges, and you are not entitled to a jury trial or a court appointed attorney.    The officer must prove the ticket at trial by providing evidence more likely than not that the violation occurred.  This standard of proof is also called a preponderance of evidence.

   You have three choices on what to do with your ticket.  You can plead not guilty and have a trial.  You can plead guilty or no contest.  A no contest is like a guilty plea.  On a guilty plea or a no contest plea, you can give the judge an explanation of what you did.  

   The state Legislature has set a minimum and a maximum fine for each type of violation.   The judge cannot reduce the fine below the minimum.   The bail amount on the ticket is the "base fine", which is higher than the minimum fine and lower than the maximum fine.

Oregon State Bar traffic court brochure

Stopping Distance Calculator

   If you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court is required to tell this information to the Oregon DMV, and the DMV will put the conviction on your driving record.  If you live outside of Oregon, the Oregon DMV will send the information to your state's DMV.  

   At a trial, you can question the officer, you can question any other witness the State asks to testify, and you can bring your own witnesses to court.  If you have a problem getting a witness to come to court, the court can give you a subpoena.   You don't have to testify at the trial.

   If there is a fine, you can pay the fine by cash, check, and, in some courts, by debit or credit card. The Legislature has established a minimum bail schedule.  State Bail Schedule.  For tickets written starting January 1, 2006, there is a  2006 Base Fine Schedule

  For tickets written in 2008 and 2009, there is a new 2008 Base Fine Schedule.

   If you don't appear in court, or don't contact the court, or don't pay a fine, the court will ask the DMV to suspend your driver's license, and may assign the account to a collection agency.   If your license is suspended, all of the fine needs to be paid before the court will ask DMV to reinstate your license.

   The court cannot give legal advice.  You may wish to consult your own attorney.

   Other courts in Oregon also handle traffic matters, including the Circuit Courts in some counties, as well as municipal courts in most Oregon cities.

DMV en Espanol  DMV

Home Page

                                                                               This page last updated February 13, 2009

 A traffic ticket is a violation.  These are not criminal charges, and you are not entitled to a jury trial or a court appointed attorney.    The officer must prove the ticket at trial by providing evidence more likely than not that the violation occurred.  This standard of proof is also called a preponderance of evidence.

   You have three choices on what to do with your ticket.  You can plead not guilty and have a trial.  You can plead guilty or no contest.  A no contest is like a guilty plea.  On a guilty plea or a no contest plea, you can give the judge an explanation of what you did.  

   The state Legislature has set a minimum and a maximum fine for each type of violation.   The judge cannot reduce the fine below the minimum.   The bail amount on the ticket is the "base fine", which is higher than the minimum fine and lower than the maximum fine.

Oregon State Bar traffic court brochure

Stopping Distance Calculator

   If you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court is required to tell this information to the Oregon DMV, and the DMV will put the conviction on your driving record.  If you live outside of Oregon, the Oregon DMV will send the information to your state's DMV.  

   At a trial, you can question the officer, you can question any other witness the State asks to testify, and you can bring your own witnesses to court.  If you have a problem getting a witness to come to court, the court can give you a subpoena.   You don't have to testify at the trial.

   If there is a fine, you can pay the fine by cash, check, and, in some courts, by debit or credit card. The Legislature has established a minimum bail schedule.  State Bail Schedule.  For tickets written starting January 1, 2006, there is a  2006 Base Fine Schedule

  For tickets written in 2008 and 2009, there is a new 2008 Base Fine Schedule.

   If you don't appear in court, or don't contact the court, or don't pay a fine, the court will ask the DMV to suspend your driver's license, and may assign the account to a collection agency.   If your license is suspended, all of the fine needs to be paid before the court will ask DMV to reinstate your license.

   The court cannot give legal advice.  You may wish to consult your own attorney.

   Other courts in Oregon also handle traffic matters, including the Circuit Courts in some counties, as well as municipal courts in most Oregon cities.

DMV en Espanol  DMV

Home Page

                                                                               This page last updated February 13, 2009