How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Oregon

Oregon state law authorizes a police officer to issue a citation if they witness a traffic violation or crime within the state’s jurisdiction (ORS 810.410). A typical citation in Oregon contains the violator’s physical characteristics, full name, license information, juvenile status, and issuance location. As the Oregon Judiciary conducts traffic case proceedings, the citation also states the specific court with jurisdiction over the case. A recipient should report to the court if they wish to pay the fines or fight the traffic citation.

Oregon public records, including traffic records, may also be accessible through third-party websites. These websites typically make the search process simpler, since their records are collated from various geographic locations, and users may perform searches for multiple records simultaneously. To use a third-party search engine, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state in which the person resides or was accused.

Third-party sites are operated independently of government sources. Consequently, users are enjoined to verify the accuracy of the records or information obtained through these sites, as their validity, accuracy, and availability are not guaranteed.

Is it Worth it To Fight a Traffic Ticket in Oregon?

It depends. In deciding whether to contest the traffic ticket, alleged offenders are advised to weigh the potential implications of paying the ticket. Some of these include having increased insurance rates and criminal records. And since state and federal laws afford every citizen equal right to a trial, defendants are typically encouraged to fight the ticket if they can prove their innocence. After all, losing a traffic case may not change the statutory penalty associated with the violation. Some other factors to consider include:

• The strength of the case or argument
• Availability of evidence and witnesses to corroborate arguments
• Attorney fees
• Age of the traffic offender
• Knowledge of traffic laws and ordinances
• Lost productivity due to court appearance

Ways to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Oregon

Upon receiving a traffic citation, the individual is typically required to respond within ten (10) business days per ORS 810.436. Apart from containing details of the alleged offense, the citation also informs the recipient of where to enter a response. If they choose to fight the ticket, the clerk’s office at the courthouse indicated on the ticket is where they are expected to enter a plea. An arraignment follows a plea, after which the court shall schedule a hearing date. For violations, the hearing is usually held before a judge; for traffic crimes, the hearing typically occurs before a jury of peers who will decide whether to convict or acquit the defendant.

After deciding to fight a ticket, the individual should waste no time deciding how they seek to accomplish this based on their goals. At this stage, the two available options are self-representation and hiring an attorney.

Defendants who choose to self-represent or go pro se should inform the clerk of this decision and request official resources created for self-represented defendants. In self-representation, the individual assumes the role of attorney and defendant. They present and cross-examine witnesses from both sides, submit relevant evidence, and motions, and negotiate. It is very understandable if this seems too much for an individual without professional training and experience. More importantly, the self-represented defendant may not have enough time to prepare for the hearing. In this case, they may also consider consulting or hiring an attorney.

Hiring an attorney is another way to fight a ticket—granted, this option is more expensive. However, the defendant who can show proof of financial hardship may apply for a court-appointed attorney or public defender for representation. The limitations of self-representation, such as the inability to file an appeal or make a good plea bargain with the prosecutor, may make hiring an attorney worth it.

How to Fight a Traffic Ticket Without Going to Trial

If an offender opts to fight a ticket without going to trial, they may waive the right to trial by completing a declaration form obtained from the clerk of the circuit court. The procedure for this option varies from county to county (see the information and instructions for trial by declaration in Multnomah County Circuit Court). If the defendant submits the declaration form 24 hours before the hearing, the court will consider the completed declaration form the same as a court appearance.

Otherwise, the judge may interpret absence for hearing as contempt and rule against the defendant. The judge may also issue a bench warrant for their arrest. Meanwhile, another alternative is to arrive at a mutually agreeable plea deal with the prosecutor before the hearing. Here, the defendant accepts that they committed a traffic violation or crime. However, the prosecutor may downgrade the actual crime to a lesser offense with lighter sanctions.

How Do You Get a Traffic Ticket Reduced in Oregon?

If the defendant acknowledges that a traffic violation occurred under extenuating circumstances, they may request a mitigation hearing. The defendant or the attorney explains the circumstances surrounding the violation and pleads that the court reduce the traffic ticket. However, as Oregon does not use a point schedule to measure violations, the court may reduce a moving violation to a non-moving violation.

Besides this, the individual may request that the court set up a payment plan to help the individual pay the ticket and other fees over a set period. The option is particularly suitable for defendants facing financial hardship. The court may also defer payment of the ticket until a later date.

Can You Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed in Oregon?

Yes. Armed with years of experience, the defendant’s attorney may be able to identify legal pressure points and file a motion to dismiss on those bases. Some legal pressure points include:

• An honest mistake of fact
• Failure of the officer to show up in court
• A missing element of the citation, such as a clerical error
• A legal justification for the conduct or violation
• Weaknesses in the officer’s subjective judgment in issuing the ticket
• Discrepancies in the officer’s objective observation of the violation

What Happens if You Plead Guilty to a Traffic Ticket in Oregon?

Suffice it to say, that the offender is usually expected to pay the ticket, bear subsequent criminal and civil liability, and pay higher insurance premiums. Furthermore, the court and the state Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) may revoke an individual’s license if such an individual is a habitual violator.

More so, records of traffic crimes become part of the individual’s criminal record. Per the Oregon Public Record Acts, these records are available to interested members of the public, including prospective employers and government agencies.

How to Find a Traffic Ticket Attorney in Oregon

Given how important an attorney’s role is in determining the favorable adjudication, reduction, or dismissal of a traffic ticket, finding a traffic attorney in Oregon is not trivial. Defendants may find an attorney through close friends and family members who have received legal aid from the attorney. Otherwise, traffic litigants should use a trusted source to find an attorney.