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Traffic and Ordinance Violations (Infractions)
I received a ticket. What do I do?
If the “CRIME” box is marked on your citation (or ticket), then refer to the Criminal Charges court page. If the “VIOLATION” box is marked, then you may exercise any of the options indicated on the back of your citation. Some City Ordinances refer to infractions which term is synonymous with “violations”.
Do I have to appear in court?
If you are charged with the following charges, then you must appear in front of the judge. The court clerk is unable to take a plea on this charge.
- ORS 811.175 Driving while suspended
- ORS 811.507 Operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device
- ORS 471.430 Minor in possession of alcohol
- ORS 475B.316 Unlawful possession of marijuana
- ORS 167.400 Prohibited possession tobacco
- ORS 167.755 Sale of tobacco to minor
- Municipal Code 6.04.030 - 06.04.120 Dog nuisances
If you are charged with an ordinance or any other traffic violation, you are not required to appear in court if you enter a plea in the Court Clerk’s Office before the court date. Pleas entered by mail must be received prior to your scheduled court appearance. However, if the matter comes before the court the judge can order a mandatory appearance.
I can’t appear in court. What should I do?
Court clerks are not authorized to rescheduled court dates. If you are unable to appear on your court date you may appear early and speak to the violations bureau. You also have the option of faxing or emailing your plea to the court. Please see (contact the court Page)
What are my plea options?
- See the back of your citation (ticket) to see the different options available to you.
- A No Contest plea results in a guilty finding in if the Judge finds all elements of the citation to be in order. A no contest plea preserves the right to appeal to a higher court.
- A Not Guilty plea will result in a trial. Not guilty means you deny one or more of the elements of the citation and wish to proceed to trial at a future date set by the court. You will be notified in person or by mail of the trial date.
- At trial, you and the police officer will appear in court to present evidence about your citation. Evidence can include the testimony of you and the officer, the testimony of any witnesses, and photographs or diagrams.
- Non-attorney trials are informal and take 20 minutes or less. The judge will hear the evidence and make a decision at the end of the trial.
- If you choose to hire an attorney, make sure that he or she notifies the court as soon as possible, no later than 7 days prior to the trial. A new trial date will be set.
If I choose to plead Not Guilty and have a trail, what do I do?
You must appear in person and speak to the Judge Lindgren. Only the judge can accept a Not Guilty plea. Court clerk's are not authorized to set a court trial.
If I choose to have a trial, can I have a trial by jury?
All traffic violations (infraction) trials are court trials only. Six person jury trials are only available for criminal cases.
If I choose to have a trial, can I have a trial by affidavit?
All trials are in person. A trail by affidavit is NOT an option provided by this court.
Steps of a Trial
- The officer and any other witness for the City testify first.
- You can question each witness.
- You may testify, have witnesses testify for you and present physical evidence, such as photographs or documents.
- The officer may offer rebuttal evidence
- The Judge reaches a verdict.
Will my traffic ticket appear on my driving record?
Parking tickets do not appear on your driving records. Other tickets may appear on your driving record if you plea or are found guilty. Check with the DMV for more information.
If I get a traffic violation will my driver license be suspended?
Your license will only be suspended by the court if you fail to appear at the required time (fail to take care of ticket in advance by contacting the Court Clerk’s office), fail to pay your fees/fines as required, or fail to comply with any court requirements. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has rules pertaining to suspension of ODL if you get too many violations. You should check with them, if concerned about your driving record.
Are there any options for a traffic safety class?
Gladstone does have a traffic safety class. Please contact the court clerk’s office to verify if you are eligible for the program at 503-656-5225 ext. 3. The qualifications are no convictions on your driving record in the last five years or completed a traffic safety course in the last five years. Pease be aware the traffic safety program is a year long program. You cannot get any moving violations while you are on this program.
Are there any options for young drivers?
There is a special “Minor Diversion Program” available for drivers under the age of 18 who do not have any prior traffic citations. Completion of all requirements of this program will result in the dismissal of the citation. Some of the requirements include payment of a small diversion fee, attend a Youth Impact Panel and attendance at a designated driver’s class. You may download copies of the required forms from the Court Forms page or Contact the Court Clerk’s Office (503 656-5225 ext. 3) to obtain further information.
Are there any special programs available for Seat Belt violations?
If you do not have any prior seat belt violations and have never taken a prior seat belt class, then you can attend a seat belt class and pay a fee in lieu of a citation fine. You may download copies of the required forms from the Court Forms page or Contact the Court Clerk’s Office (503 656-5225 ext 3) to obtain further information.
I received a ticket for driving uninsured, but I have insurance. What should I do?
Bring in proof of insurance with you to Court on your scheduled court date. Make sure that the proof of insurance shows that the insurance was in force at the time of your citation (ticket). Only the Judge may dismiss a driving uninsured charge.
I received a ticket for failure to carry proof of insurance, but I have insurance. What should I do?
Bring in proof of insurance with you to Court on or before your scheduled court date. Make sure that the proof of insurance shows that the insurance was in force at the time of your citation (ticket). The court staff will contact the insurance company to verify coverage. If you were covered at the time of the stop, the charge will be dismissed with no fees. If you plead not guilty, you will be scheduled for a future trial date.
I received an equipment violation. What can I do?
The City of Gladstone has developed a vehicle compliance program which allows you to repair or correct your violation prior to your court date, resulting in a dismissal of the violation. In order to take advantage of this program, you must meet the required guidelines. Refer to the Forms page for more information.
I received a Municipal Ordinance violation. What can I do?
The City of Gladstone has developed an Ordinance compliance program which allows you to repair or correct your violation prior to your court date, resulting in a dismissal of the violation. In order to take advantage of this program, you must meet the required guidelines. Refer to the Forms page for more information.
How do I research Ordinance Violations?
The City Ordinances are now online. You may go to codepublishing.com/OR/Gladstone
How do I research Traffic Violations?
Copies of the Oregon Revised Statutes can be found in various places such as on line, law libraries in each county, attorney’s offices, city libraries, Gladstone City Hall or online at https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/
