Traffic Violations in Oregon
An Oregon traffic violation is any illegal action committed while operating a vehicle on a public road. This can include speeding and running red lights to more serious offenses like hit and run or DUI. In Oregon, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) enforces traffic laws and issues penalties for violations. While Oregon courts prosecute offenders, the state DMV can suspend or revoke the offender's driver's license if they accumulate too many points on their driving record. Motorists who are cited for a traffic violation will typically have the option to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. Records of traffic violations are typically featured in the offender's Oregon traffic record; these records may be made available to the public unless restricted by court order.
Types of Traffic Violations in Oregon
There are two main categories of traffic offenses in Oregon: Moving violations and non-moving violations. Moving violations occur while a vehicle is in motion, such as speeding or running a red light. Non-moving violations occur when a car is not in motion, such as parking illegally or having an expired registration.
Penalties for traffic offenses can range from a simple fine to jail time. More serious crimes, such as DUI or hit and run, may result in license suspension or revocation.
Oregon traffic offenses may also be categorized by severity:
Minor traffic offenses are typically punishable by a fine of $160 or less. These offenses include speeding, running a stop sign, or failing to use your turn signal.
Major traffic offenses are more severe and typically carry a fine of more than $160. These offenses include DUI, hit and run, or driving with a suspended license.
Oregon Traffic Violation Code
Oregon's traffic violations are governed by the Oregon Vehicle Code (OVC). The OVC outlines the different types of traffic offenses and their respective penalties. The Oregon traffic violation code is a set of laws that govern the operation of motor vehicles on Oregon roads. The code was established to promote safety and order on Oregon's roads, and its statutes are codified in the Oregon Revised Statutes.
The traffic violation code sets forth several offenses committed by drivers, including speeding, reckless driving, and DUI. The code also establishes a points system used to track drivers' violations and determine penalties. The points system incentivizes safe driving and deters reckless or dangerous behavior.
Oregon Felony Traffic Violations
In Oregon, several traffic offenses can be classified as felonies. These offenses typically involve serious accidents or injuries, and they can result in significant penalties. Some examples of felony traffic offenses in Oregon include:
- DUI causing serious injury or death
- Hit and run resulting in serious injury or death
- Vehicular homicide
- Reckless driving causing serious injury or death
The penalties for felonies vary depending on the offense, but they can include prison time, hefty fines, and a loss of driving privileges. In some cases, a felony offense may be reduced to a misdemeanor if the offender completes specific requirements, such as attending a drug or alcohol treatment program.
Oregon Traffic Misdemeanors and Infractions
In Oregon, infractions are the least severe traffic offense and are generally punishable by a fine only. Misdemeanors are more serious than infractions but less severe than felonies. They can result in up to one year in jail and a fine.
Oregon misdemeanor traffic offenses include; driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), hit and run reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. The penalties for misdemeanor traffic offenses can vary depending on the crime and the offender's criminal history. For example, the penalty for a first-time DUI offense is typically a fine and jail time, while the penalty for a second or subsequent DUI offense is usually much harsher.
A felony traffic offense becomes a misdemeanor if it results in property damage or injury to another person. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and some felonies can be downgraded to misdemeanors at the court's discretion.
Oregon Traffic Violation Codes and Fines
There are a variety of traffic violations that one can commit in the state of Oregon. These violations range from minor infractions to major offenses. The following is a list of some of the most common traffic violations in Oregon, their corresponding codes in the state's traffic statutes, and the fines associated with each:
The base fine for speeding in Oregon is $160, but this can increase based on the speed limit and the number of miles over the driver's limit.
The base fine for running a red light in Oregon is $260.
The base fine for failure to yield in Oregon is $265.
The base fine for improper passing in Oregon is $315.
- Driving While Suspended or Revoked: ORS 811.175
Driving while suspended or revoked is a misdemeanor offense in Oregon and can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.
- DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants): ORS 813.010
DUII is a misdemeanor offense in Oregon and can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.
- Reckless Driving: ORS 811.140
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense in Oregon and can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.
- Driving Without Insurance: ORS 806.010
Driving without insurance is a violation in Oregon and can result in a fine of up to $2,500.
Various factors such as the severity of the offense, the driver's prior record, and whether there was an accident involved can affect the penalties that a driver may face for committing a traffic violation.
How to Pay a Traffic Violation Ticket in Oregon
Motorists who receive a traffic citation in Oregon have three options for paying the ticket; online, via mail, or in-person.
Offenders can go through the Oregon State Court Payment Portal to pay the ticket online. To make a payment, offenders will need their citation number and the fine amount. Payments can be made through a credit card or echeck.
For mail-in ticket payments in Oregon, the offender can send their payments and information about their citation to:
Oregon State Courts,
P.O. Box 1286,
Salem, OR 97308-1286
In-person payments can be made to the court indicated on the citation or any Oregon State Court location. The citation number of the ticket will also be required in this case.
Offenders who do not pay their fines or respond to their tickets early enough will likely face additional penalties and potential license suspension per the provisions of the Oregon traffic code.
Traffic Violation Lookup in Oregon
Interested members of the public can be offered access to Oregon traffic violations upon request. To lookup a traffic violation in Oregon, the inquirer will need to provide:
- The full name of the driver
- The date of birth of the driver
- A form of identification for the driver
- There are two ways to request this information: online or in person.
Online, requesters can visit the Oregon State Police website. Click on the 'Request Traffic Records' tab and follow the instructions. They will be asked to fill out a form and pay a small fee. This service is available 24/7.
In-person, the requesting party can go to their local Oregon state police office during business hours and request the traffic record from the front desk officer. They will be asked to fill out a form and show identification. There is no fee for this service.
Both methods will take approximately 7-10 business days to process the request and mail the results.
If the driver has had their license suspended or revoked, they will need to go through getting their license reinstated before they can drive again. The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) can assist with this.
How to Plead not Guilty to a Traffic Violation in Oregon
Motorists who have received a traffic citation in Oregon have the right to plead not guilty and have their case heard in court. Pleading not guilty may result in the traffic citation being dismissed, but it also may result in a higher fine or points added to the motorist's driving record if the court finds them guilty. If the motorist is found guilty, they will be responsible for paying the fine and any other associated costs.
To plead not-guilty to a traffic citation in Oregon, the offending motorist can do any of the following:
- Appear in person at the court on their traffic citation and plead not guilty
- Mail-in a not guilty plea form to the court
- Request a deferral from the court, which will allow them to complete a defensive driving course in lieu of pleading not guilty
It is important to note that if a motorist chooses to plead not guilty, they are still required to pay any fines or fees associated with the traffic citation. These must be paid by the date specified on the traffic citation. If the motorist does not pay the fines or fees, their driver's license may be suspended.
Additionally, if a motorist pleads not guilty and is found guilty by the court, they may be required to pay additional fines and fees. These additional costs could include court costs, administrative fees, and the defensive driving course cost if the motorist requested a deferral.
What Happens if You Plead No Contest to a Traffic Violation in Oregon
If an offender pleads no contest to a traffic violation in Oregon, they would be admitting that they committed the infraction but are not admitting guilt. The offender will still be required to pay any fines or penalties associated with the violation. The offender may also be required to attend a driving school or complete community service in some cases. If the offender has a clean driving record, they may be able to avoid having the violation appear on their record. However, if the offender has multiple traffic violations or a previous DUI conviction, pleading no contest may not be an option.
How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Your Record?
In Oregon, traffic violations will remain on an offender's record for a minimum of four years. However, certain offenses will remain on an offender's record for up to ten years. If an offender has multiple traffic violations within a three-year period, they may be required to complete a defensive driving course in order to have the violations removed from their record.
Some traffic violations can never be removed from an offender's record, such as DUI or hit and run where a severe injury or death occurred. But for the most part, traffic violations will eventually fall off an offender's record if they do not reoffend within a certain period. However, there are some things that an offender can do to get the violations removed from their record sooner. One thing an offender can do is to complete a defensive driving course. This will usually remove the violations from an offender's record within a year. Another thing an offender can do is to get their record expunged. This process can be a bit more complicated, but it will ultimately result in the traffic violations being removed from an offender's record.
Can Traffic Violations Be Expunged or Sealed in Oregon?
Yes, traffic violations can be expunged or sealed in Oregon. A motorist can petition to have a traffic violation expunged by filing a Petition for Expungement with the court that issued the conviction. The court will then review the petition and decide whether to grant or deny the request. If the court grants the request, the conviction will be removed from the motorist's record. However, if the court denies the request, the conviction will remain on the record.
To be eligible for expungement in Oregon, the motorist must:
- Have completed all terms of their sentence, including any probation, for the crime they wish to have expunged
- Wait at least three years after completing their sentence before petitioning for expungement
- Not have been convicted of any other crimes during the three-year waiting period
The expungement or sealing petition must contain:
- The name and case number of the court that issued the conviction
- The date of the conviction
- The nature of the conviction
- A statement from the petitioner indicating that they have completed all terms of their sentence and have not been convicted of any other crimes in the three years since their sentence was completed.
What Happens if You Miss a Court Date for a Traffic Violation in Oregon?
Offending motorists who miss their court date for a traffic violation in Oregon may face a few different penalties.
If the court date is missed and the fine goes unpaid, a failure to appear (FTA) notice will be issued. The FTA notice will likely increase the original fine amount and may add additional penalties. In some cases, an arrest warrant may also be issued. If an offender is likely to miss their court date, it is essential to contact the court ahead of time to reschedule or determine an alternative solution.
