Traffic Violations: What are my options?
If you have received a citation for a traffic or ordinance violation, one of the first things to do is check the court date and time on the citation. You can appear at the Springfield Municipal court on that date and time or do any of the following options listed below prior to the court date and time. Failure to appear can result in additional fines, fees, suspension of your driving privileges and being sent to collections.
You may want to look into our safety programs when considering your options.
Springfield Municipal Court has several programs that allow drivers to complete educational classes or fix the violation instead of having to pay the presumptive fine for the citation if they are eligible.
There are costs associated with these programs, but they are generally less expensive than the presumptive fine on the ticket.
Options
Option 1: Enter a plea of no contest and pay the amount of the presumptive fine listed on the citation.
- As such, you would no longer need to personally appear on the date given on the citation.
- A no contest plea does result in a conviction and will appear on your driving record.
Option 2: Enter a plea of no contest with an explanation to the court prior to your court date.
You can do this by:
- Mailing your no contest plea and written explanation to 230 4th Street, Springfield, OR 97477.
- Dropping off your no contest plea and written explanation in the court after courts drop-box located inside the front doors of the Springfield Justice Center.
- Visiting the court in person Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
- E-mailing your no contest plea and written explanation to courts@springfield-or.gov. Be sure to include your citation number, name, current mailing address, and phone number.
- A no contest plea does result in a conviction and will appear on your driving record.
Option 3: You have the right to enter a plea of not guilty.
- You can either mail, email, or submit the plea in-person.
- Upon entry of a not guilty plea the Court will schedule a trial date.
- You should be aware that if you are found guilty at trial, you may not be offered the option of traffic school and a conviction could result and will appear on your driving record.
Traffic Court Violations Bureau
- Court staff have been given the authority by judicial order 2019-6 to operate a Violations Bureau for traffic citations to increase efficiency and expedite responses from the court.
- Bureau staff may be able to enter you into a safety program, reduce the presumptive fine, dismiss a “fix- it” citation, or set up payment arrangements without you being required to appear before a Judge.
- The fine amounts, safety program eligibility, dismissals, and payment agreement terms the Bureau can impose are set by the judicial Order based on the type of violation and your driving record.
- The Violations Bureau may, in it’s discretion, require any defendant to appear in person before a Judge.
- Any defendant seeking a fine reduction, payment agreement, or other term not within the authority of the Bureau may submit a request to a Judge in writing, or schedule an appearance in court.
- If a no contest plea is entered it does result in a conviction and will appear on your driving record.
Disclaimer:
The information on this webpage is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, there is no guarantee as to the accuracy. Please contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any specific legal matter.