How Do the Oregon Municipal Courts Work?

Oregon Municipal Courts are established by a charter or ordinance in most incorporated cities of the state. A Municipal Court operates within the boundaries of the city where it is located. The procedures of Municipal Courts are regulated to a large degree by state law. Some Oregon Municipal courts may also be courts of record, although most are not. 

Generally, Oregon Municipal Courts have concurrent jurisdiction with Justice and Circuit Courts over all misdemeanors and violations committed in the city where the court is situated. These courts do not have jurisdiction over felonies or designated drug-related misdemeanors, as defined in ORS 423.478. Municipal Courts principally hear the following cases:

• Traffic crimes and violations; 
• Violations of municipal ordinances and codes, including animal, high grass, and waste nuisances; 
• Vehicle forfeitures and impoundments; and 
• Parking and pedestrian violations

Municipal Courts may hear misdemeanor cases committed or triable in the city. However, a city may restrict the exercise of the Municipal Court’s jurisdiction over misdemeanors by the adoption of an ordinance or charter provision. Regardless, the Municipal Courts must retain concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over misdemeanors formed by the city’s ordinances. This also includes a charter adopted by the city and traffic crimes, as established by ORS 801.545. Also, Municipal Courts hear some minor liquor, tobacco, and drug violations. A municipal judge may conduct weddings anywhere in the state.

Unlike most other state courts, a municipal judge does not need to qualify as an attorney, even though most municipal judges are attorneys. The city council appoints municipal judges to head each Municipal Court. Also, in some cities, the judges are elected instead. The city council or charter determines the qualifications for the office of a judge. 

Generally, the qualifications for the office of a municipal judge is as follows:

• Must be a resident of the United States and the state of Oregon 
• Must be an Oregon State Bar member of good standing (especially for a judge serving in a Municipal Court of record)
• Must have concluded a course on courts of special jurisdiction offered by the National Judicial College, or finished the course within 12 months after appointment or election as a Justice of the Peace. This also includes any course equivalent to the course described earlier, or any course endorsed by the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice.

However, if exigent occurrences prevent a municipal judge from finishing a required course, the presiding judge of the judicial district may grant the municipal judge one extension of time to complete the course. However, the extension may not exceed 12 months. The presiding judge may also require the municipal judge to complete varying additional educational requirements when an extension is granted. Note that any person appointed to serve temporarily as a municipal judge must possess the qualifications for the office of a municipal judge as described above.

A municipal judge is elected to a six-year term in a nonpartisan election. The retirement age for a judge in Oregon is 75 years. At this age, a Justice of the Peace must retire even if still in service. The person may also be asked to withdraw if considered physically unfit or mentally unstable to carry out regular judicial responsibilities.

If the position of the municipal judge or other relevant posts is vacant because of death, resignation, or other causes, a special election may be conducted. The Governor may also appoint persons to temporarily fill the vacant posts before the next election. 

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) offers access to non-confidential case dockets through a paid subscription resource for court case records. Some cases are confidential and protected by statute, making them unavailable to the public. Any requestor with a registered account may sign in with valid login details, while other persons register to view court case dockets. Note that registering a new account costs $150.

Interested persons may also query the court clerk in the Municipal Court where the case originated. The record requests may be submitted by email, US mail, fax, or in person. The following information should be provided during requests: 

• Type of record(s)
• Subject matter
• Estimated date(s) the record was created or received 
• Names of people included in the record, or people who created or received the record
• The number of copies requested

Also, the requestor’s personal information may be required if the response is to be delivered by mail. The required information includes: 

• Name and signature
• Address
• Phone number where the requestor may be contacted during business hours
• Email address, if available

Note that the fees for electronic, emailed, or hard copy are not the same. There may also be variations in fees for regular, certified, and exemplified copies. Requestors are advised to confirm current fees at the courthouse. 

The addresses and contact information of Municipal courts in Oregon are listed below:

Baker County

Baker City Municipal Court

Baker County Courthouse

1995 3rd Street, Baker City, OR 97814

Phone number: 541–523–8213

Halfway Municipal Court

235 Gover Lane, PO Box 691,

Halfway, OR 97834

Phone number: 541–742–7171

Huntington Municipal Court

50 East Adams Street, PO Box 369, Huntington, OR 97907

Phone number: 541–869–2202

Richland Municipal Court

235 Gover Lane, P. O. Box 691, Halfway, OR 97834

Phone number: 541–742–7171

Benton County

Corvallis Municipal Court

560 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97333

Phone number: 541–766–6948

Monroe Municipal Court

664 Commercial Street, PO Box 486, Monroe, OR 97456

Phone number: 541–847–5175

Fax: 541–847–5177

Philomath Municipal Court

980 Appelgate Street, PO Box 400, 

Philomath, OR 97370

Phone number: 541–929–5111

Fax: 541–929–3044

Clackamas County

Canby Municipal Court

1175 NW 3rd Avenue, Canby, OR 97013

Phone number: 503–266–4027

Fax: 503–266–9316

Estacada Municipal Court

475 SE Main Street, P. O. Box 958, Estacada, OR 97023

Phone number: 503–630–8270 ext. 200

Fax: 503–630–8280

Gladstone Municipal Court

525 POrtland Avenue, Gladstone, OR 97027

Phone number: 503–557–2772

Fax: 503–650–8938

Happy Valley Municipal Court

16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, OR 97086

Phone number: 503–783–3822

Johnson City Municipal Court

16120 SE 81st Street, Johnson City, OR 97267

Phone number: 503–655–9710

Lake Oswego Municipal Court

Lake Oswego City Hall

380 A Avenue, PO Box 369, Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Phone number: 503–635–0217

Fax: 503–697–6570

Milwaukie Municipal Court

10722 SE Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222

Phone number: 503–786–7543

Fax: 503–786–7528

Molalla Municipal Court

Molalla City Hall

117 North Molalla Avenue, PO Box 248, Molalla, OR 97038

Phone number: 503–829–7711

Fax: 503–829–3676

Oregon City Municipal Court

320 Warner Milne Road, PO Box 3040, Oregon City, OR 97045

Phone number: 503–657–8154

Sandy Municipal Court

39250 Pioneer Blvd, Sandy, OR 97055

Phone number: 503–826–1939

West Linn Municipal Court

West Linn City Hall

22500 Salamo Road, West Linn, OR 97068

Phone number: 503–656–4263

Fax: 503–742–8599

Wilsonville Municipal Court

29799 SW Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Phone number: 503–570–1587

Fax: 503–682–1015

Clatsop County

Astoria Municipal Court

1095 Duane Street, Astoria, OR 97103

Phone number: 503–325–3939

Fax: 503–338–6630

Cannon Beach Municipal Court

163 East Gower Street, PO Box 368, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Phone number: 503–436–2046

Fax: 800–516–7821

Gearhart Municipal Court

698 Pacific Way, PO Box 2510, Gearhart, OR 97138

Phone number: 503–738–5501

Seaside Municipal Court

989 Broadway, Seaside, OR 97138

Phone number: 503–738–5511

Fax: 503–738–5514

Columbia County

Clatskanie Municipal Court

95 South Nehalem Street, PO Box 9, Clatskanie, OR 97016

Phone number: 503–728–3011

Fax: 503–728–2143

Rainier Municipal Court

106 West B Street, PO Box 100, Rainier, OR 97048

Phone number: 503–556–4027

St. Helens Municipal Court

277 Strand Street, PO Box 278, St. Helens, OR 97051

Phone number: 503–397–6272

Fax: 503–366–7932

Coos County

Bandon Municipal Court

555 Highway 101, PO Box 67, Bandon, OR 97411

Phone number: 541–347–2437

Fax: 541–347–1415

Coos Bay Municipal Court

500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone number: 541–269–8912

Coquille Municipal Court

99 East 2nd Street, Coquille, OR 97423

Phone number: 541–396–2115

Myrtle Point Municipal Court

424 5th Street, Myrtle Point, OR 97458

Phone number: 541–572–2626

Powers Municipal Court

275 Fir Street, PO Box 250, POwers, OR 97466

Phone number: 541–439–3331

Curry County

Brookings Municipal Court

898 Elk Drive, Brookings, OR 97415

Phone number: 541–469–1114

Fax: 541–469–3650

Gold Beach Municipal Court

29592 Ellensburg Avenue, Gold Beach, OR 97444

Phone number: 541–247–7029

POrtOrford Municipal Court

555 West 20th Street, PO Box 310, POrtOrford, OR 97465

Phone number: 541–332–9013

Deschutes County

Bend Municipal Court

555 NE 15th Street, Bend, OR 97701

Phone number: 541–388–5572 ext. 9

Douglas County

Canyonville Municipal Court

249 NE Main Street, PO Box 376, Canyonville, OR 97417

Phone number: 541–839–4389

Glendale Municipal Court

222 Gilbert Avenue, PO Box 325, Glendale, OR 97442

Phone number: 541–832–2101

Myrtle Creek Municipal Court

207 NW Pleasant Street, PO Box 940, Myrtle Creek, OR 97457

Phone number: 541–863–3171

Reedsport Municipal Court

451 Winchester Avenue, ReedsPort, OR 97467

Phone number: 541–271–3603

Roseburg Municipal Court

900 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, OR 97470

Phone number: 541–492–6720

Sutherlin Municipal Court

126 East Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479

Phone number: 541–459–4636

Fax: 541–459–4953

Winston Municipal Court

201 NW Douglas Blvd, Winston, OR 97496

Phone number: 541–679–5561

Fax: 541–679–0794

Yoncalla Municipal Court

2640 Eagle Valley Road, P. O. Box 508, Yoncalla, OR 97499

Phone number: 541–849–2152

Fax: 541–849–2552

Harney County

Burns Municipal Court

242 South Broadway, Burns, OR 97720

Phone number: 541–573–5255

Fax: 541–573–5622

Hines Municipal Court

101 East Barnes, PO Box 336, Hines, OR 97738

Phone number: 541–573–2251

Hood River County

Cascade Locks Municipal Court

140 SW Wanaoa Street, PO Box 308, Cascade Locks, OR 97014

Phone number: 541–374–8484

Fax: 541–374–8752

Hood River Municipal Court

211 2nd Street, Hood River, OR 97031

Phone number: 541–386–3942

Fax: 541–387–5575

Jackson County

Ashland Municipal Court

1175 East Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520

Phone number: 541–482–5214

Fax: 541–488–5586

Central Point Municipal Court

155 South 2nd Street, Central Point, OR 97502

Telephone: 541–664–3321 

Eagle Point Municipal Court

17 Buchanan Avenue, PO Box 779, 

Eagle Point, OR 97524

Phone number: 541–826–4212

Fax: 541–826–6155

Gold Hill Municipal Court

420 6th Avenue, PO Box 308, Gold Hill, OR 97525

Phone number: 541–855–1525

Jacksonville Municipal Court

110 East Main Street, PO Box 7, Jacksonville, OR 97530

Phone number: 541–899–1231

Medford Municipal Court

411 West 8th Street, Room 210, Medford, OR 97501

Telephone: 541–774–2040

Fax: 541–774–2568

Phoenix Municipal Court

112 West 2nd Street, PO Box 330, Phoenix, OR 97535

Telephone: 541–535–1955 ext. 302

Fax: 541–535–5769

Court sessions are held at the Public Works Building, 1000 South B Street.

Rogue River Municipal Court

133 Broadway, P. O. Box 1137, Rogue River, OR 97537

Phone number: 541–582–4401

Jefferson County

Madras Municipal Court

125 SW E Street, Madras, OR 97741

Phone number: 541–475–2424

Metolius Municipal Court

636 Jefferson Avenue, Metolius, OR 97741

Phone number: 541–546–5533

Josephine County

Cave Junction Municipal Court

222 West Lister Street, PO Box 1396, Cave Junction, OR 97523

Phone number: 541–592–2156

Klamath County

Klamath Falls Municipal Court

500 Klamath Avenue, PO Box 237, Klamath Falls, OR 97601

Phone number: 541–883–5311

Malin Municipal Court

2432 4th Street, PO Box 61, Malin, OR 97632

Phone number: 541–723–2021

Lane County

Coburg Municipal Court

91136 North Willamette Street, PO Box 8146, Coburg, OR 97408

Phone number: 541–682–7859

Cottage Grove Municipal Court

400 East Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424

Telephone: 541–942–3346

Fax: 541–942–1267

Eugene Municipal Court

1102 Lincoln Street, Eugene, OR 97401

Phone number: 541–682–5400

Fax: 541–682–5417

Florence Municipal Court

900 Greenwood Street, Florence, OR 97439

Phone number: 541–997–3123

Fax: 541–997–4108

Junction City Municipal Court

680 Greenwood Street, PO Box 250, Junction City, OR 97448

Phone number: 541–998–1113

Fax: 541–998–3140

Lowell Municipal Court

107 East 3rd Street, PO Box 490, Lowell, OR 97452

Phone number: 541–937–2157

Springfield Municipal Court

230 4th Street, Springfield, OR 97477

Telephone: 541–726–3748

Fax: 541–744–3376

Veneta Municipal Court

88184 8th Street, St, PO Box 458, Veneta, OR 97487

Phone number: 541–935–2191

Fax: 541–935–1838

Lincoln County

Newport Municipal Court

169 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365

Phone number: 541–574–0616

Toledo Municipal Court

206 North Main Street, PO Box 220, Toledo, OR 97391

Telephone: 541–635–2061

Fax: 541–363–0362

Waldport Municipal Court

125 Alsea Highway, PO Box 1120, Waldport, OR 97394

Telephone number: 541–264–7417 ext. 101

Fax: 541–264–7418

Yachats Municipal Court

441 Highway 101 North, PO Box 345, Yachats, OR 97498

Phone number: 541–547–3565

Linn County

Albany Municipal Court

333 Broadalbin Street SW, PO Box 490, Albany, OR 97321

Telephone: 541–917–7740

Fax: 541–917–7748

Brownsville Municipal Court

255 North Main Street, PO Box 188, Brownsville, OR 97327

Telephone: 541–466–5666

Halsey Municipal Court

773 West 1st Street, PO Box 10, Halsey, OR 97348

Phone number: 541–369–2522

Harrisburg Municipal Court

354 Smith Street, PO Box 286, Harrisburg, OR 97446

Phone number: 541–995–8311

Lebanon Municipal Court

40 North 2nd Street, Suite 300, Lebanon, OR 97355

Phone number: 541–258–4909

Fax: 541–258–4953

Mill City Municipal Court

252 SW Cedar St, Mill City, OR 97360

Phone number: 503–897–2302

Fax: 503–897–3499

Scio Municipal Court

38957 NW 1st Avenue, PO Box 37, Scio, OR 97374

Phone number: 503–394–3342

Fax: 503–394–2340

Sweet Home Municipal Court

Police/Justice Facility

1950 Main Street, Sweet Home, OR 97386

Phone number: 541–367–4660

Fax: 541–367–3969

Malheur County

Nyssa Municipal Court

216 Main Street, Nyssa, OR 97914

Phone number: 541–889–5712

Ontario Municipal Court

1178 SW 4th Street, Ontario, OR 97914

Phone number: 541–889–5712

Vale Municipal Court

252 B Street West, Vale, OR 97918

Phone number: 541–473–3133

Fax: 541–473–3895

Marion County

Aumsville Municipal Court

125 North 6th Street, PO Box 103, Aumsville, OR 97325

Phone number: 503–749–2189

Aurora Municipal Court

21420 Main Street, Aurora, OR 97002

Phone number: 503–678–1283

Fax: 503–678–2758

Donald Municipal Court

10710 Main Street NE, PO Box 388, Donald, OR 97020

Telephone number: 503–678–5543

Gervais Municipal Court

592 4th Street, Gervais, OR 97026

Phone number: 503–792–4900

Hubbard Municipal Court

3720 2nd Street, Hubbard, OR 97032

Phone number: 503–981–9633

Fax: 503–981–8743

Jefferson Municipal Court

150 North 2nd Street, PO Box 83, Jefferson, OR 97352

Phone number: 541–327–2768, extension 302

Fax: 541–327–3120

Keizer Municipal Court

930 Chemawa Road NE, Keizer, OR 97307

Phone number: 503–856–3406

Fax: 503–390–3787

Mt. Angel Municipal Court

5 North Garfield Street, PO. Box 960, Mt Angel, OR 97362

Phone number: 503–845–9291

Salem Municipal Court

555 Liberty Street, Room 215, Salem, OR 97301

Phone number: 503–588–6146

Silverton Municipal Court

306 South Water Street, Silverton, OR 97381

Phone number: 503–873–5321

Fax: 503–873–3007

Turner Municipal Court

7250 3rd Street, PO Box 456, Turner, OR 97392

Telephone: 503–743–2155

Fax: 503–743–4010

Woodburn Municipal Court

270 Montgomery Street, Woodburn, OR 97071

Phone number: 503–982–5212

Multnomah County

Troutdale Municipal Court

219 East Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR 97060

Phone number: 503–665–5175

Fax: 503–667–6403

Polk County

Dallas Municipal Court

187 SE Court Street, Dallas, OR 97338

Phone number: 503–831–3576

Fax: 503–831–3594

Falls City Municipal Court

299 Mill Street, Falls City, OR 97344

Phone number: 503–787–3631

The address above is the location of the Court administrative office. Municipal Court sessions are held at the Falls City Community Center at 320 Mill Street.

Independence Municipal Court

240 Monmouth Street, PO Box 7, Independence, OR 97351

Phone number: 503–838–1212

Monmouth Municipal Court

151 Main Street West, Monmouth, OR 97361

Phone number: 503–751–0136

Fax: 503–837–0172

Tillamook County

Manzanita Municipal Court

543 Laneda Avenue, P. O. Box 129, Manzanita, OR 97130

Phone number: 503–368–5343

Fax: 503–368–4145

Rockaway Beach Municipal Court

276 South Highway 101, PO Box 5, Rockaway Beach, OR 97136

Phone number: 503–355–2291

Umatilla County

Athena Municipal Court

215 S 3rd Street, PO Box 686, Athena, OR 97813

Telephone: 541–566–3862

Echo Municipal Court

20 South Bonanza, PO Box 9, Echo, OR 97826

Telephone: 541–376–8411

Hermiston Municipal Court

330 South 1st Street, Hermiston, OR 97838

Phone number: 541–567–6610

Fax: 541–667–2049

Milton-Freewater Municipal Court

722 South Main Street, PO Box 6, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862

Telephone: 541–938–8203

Pendleton Municipal Court

501 SW Emigrant, Pendleton, OR 97801

Phone number: 541–966–0209

Fax: 541–966–0352

Pilot Rock Municipal Court

144 North Alder Place, PO Box 130, Pilot Rock, OR 97868

Telephone: 541–443–2811

Fax: 541–443–2253

Stanfield Municipal Court

160 South Main Street, Stanfield, OR 97875

Phone number: 541–449–3831

Umatilla Municipal Court

300 6th Street, PO Box 130, Umatilla, OR 97882

Telephone: 541–922–3226 ext. 106

Union County

Elgin Municipal Court

180 North 8th Avenue, PO Box 128, Elgin, OR 97827

Phone number: 541–437–2253

La Grande Municipal Court

1000 Adams Avenue, P. O. Box 670, La Grande, OR 97850

Telephone: 541–962–1314

Union Municipal Court

342 South Main Street, PO Box 529, Union, OR 97883

Telephone: 541–562–5197

Fax: 541–562–5196

Wallowa County

Enterprise Municipal Court

108 NE 1st Street, Enterprise, OR 97828

Phone number: 541–426–4196

Fax: 541–426–3395

Wasco County

The Dalles Municipal Court

313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058

Phone number: 541–296–5481 

Washington County

Beaverton Municipal Court

4755 SW Griffith Drive, Beaverton, OR 97005

Phone number: 503–526–2290

Fax: 503–350–4031

Forest Grove / Cornelius Municipal Court

Forest Grove City Hall

1924 Council Street, PO Box 326, Forest Grove, OR 97116

Phone number: 503–992–3268

Fax: 503–992–3202

Gaston Municipal Court

116 Front Street, PO Box 129, Gaston, OR 97119

Phone number: 503–985–3340

Fax: 503–985–1014

Hillsboro Municipal Court

150 East Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Phone number: 503–681–6157

Fax: 503–681–6282

King City Municipal Court

City Hall

15300 SW 116th Avenue, King City, OR 97224

Phone number: 503–620–6444

Fax: 503–639–3771

Sherwood Municipal Court

22560 SW Pine Street, Sherwood, OR 97140

Phone number: 503–625–4225

Fax: 503–625–5524

Tigard Municipal Court

13125 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard, OR 97223

Phone number: 503–718–2478

Tualatin Municipal Court

8650 SW Tualatin Road, Tualatin, OR 97062

Phone number: 503–691–3025

Fax: 503–691–6884

Yamhill County

Amity Municipal Court

109 Maddox Avenue, PO Box 159, Amity, OR 97101

Phone number: 503–835–3711

Carlton Municipal Court

191 East Main Street, PO Box 458, Carlton, OR 97111

Phone number: 503–852–7575

Dayton Municipal Court

Dayton City Hall

416 Ferry Street, PO Box 339, Dayton, OR 97114

Telephone: 503–864–2221

The address above is for the court office. Court sessions are held at City Hall Annex, 408 Ferry Street, 

Dundee Municipal Court

620 SW 5th Street, PO Box 220, Dundee, OR 97115

Telephone: 503–538–3922

Lafayette Municipal Court

486 3rd Street, PO Box 55, Lafayette, OR 97127

Telephone: 503–864–2451

McMinnville Municipal Court

McMinnville City Hall

230 NE 2nd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128

Phone number: 503–434–7402

Contact details are for the court office. Court sessions are held at Civic Hall, 200 NE 2nd Street.

Newberg Municipal Court

401 East 3rd Street, PO Box 970, Newberg, OR 97132

Phone number: 503–537–1241

Sheridan Municipal Court

120 SW Mill Street, Sheridan, OR 97378

Phone number: 503–843–2347

Willamina Municipal Court

411 NE C Street, PO Box 629, Willamina, OR 97396

Phone number: 503–876–2242

Yamhill Municipal Court

205 South Maple Street, PO Box 9, Yamhill, OR 97148

Phone number: 503–662–3511

Fax: 503–662–4589