 Can I make my payment over the phone or on-line? |
Full payments may be made on-line for photo red light citations and parking citations. All other types of payments must be mailed in or made in person. Our address is:
City of Salem Municipal Court
555 Liberty St SE – Room 215
Salem, OR 97301 |
| Do I have to see a judge? |
You may need to see a judge if:
1. If the delegation order for the Violations Bureau does not include the charge on your citation.
2. If you need payment arrangements
3. If your first appearance date has passed and you cannot pay your full base fine within 10 days.
4. If there are issues unique to your citation that requires interpretation of law
5. You have other outstanding matters currently pending with this court.
Resolving your citation at the counter is a convenience we provide to our customers. If your situation becomes adverse or is complicated requiring others in line behind you to experience longer than normal wait times, you may be instructed to appear before a judge. |
| How can I get my driving privileges reinstated? |
If your driving privileges have been suspended for failure to pay your court fine you may have them reinstated through one of the following:
1. Payment in full
2. See a Judge (for traffic violations Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 8 am)
3. If your case is in collections you may contact AllianceOne (800-456-8838) to enter their PIA program or pay your balance in full.
The court does not fax or call in clearances. You may pick them up in person at the court or the court will mail the clearance documents to the DMV. These documents are mailed daily to the DMV, however, it may take DMV up to 20 days to process them once received. |
| How can I take care of my criminal citation? |
You must personally appear at the Salem Municipal Court on your summons date to start resolution of the accused crime.
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| How can I take care of my parking citation? |
Within 14 days of the parking offense:
1. You may enter a plea of ‘not guilty’ on your parking citation at the Violations Bureau, if you do not have outstanding parking or traffic fines. A future hearing will be set where you and the parking officer appear in court and speak with the judge about your citation. The judge will hear from both parties and make a decision regarding your case.
2. You may enter a plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘no contest’ at the Violations Bureau and see if your cited offense qualifies for a reduction in the fine.
3. You do not need to appear at the Salem Municipal Court if we receive the full amount of the parking citation by mail, in person, or by phone (866-380-2585).
If 14 days have passed since your parking citation was issued, $10.00 will be added to the ticket and the ticket must be paid in full by mail, in person, or by phone (866-380-2585). |
| How can I take care of my traffic citation? |
Follow the instructions on your citation in regards to entering a plea.
1. You may enter a plea of ‘not guilty’ on your traffic citation at the Violations Bureau, if you do not have outstanding traffic fines. A future hearing will be set where you and the police officer appear in court and speak with the judge about your citation. The judge will hear from both parties and make a decision regarding your case.
2. You may enter a plea ‘no contest’ at the Violations Bureau and see if your cited offense qualifies for a reduction in the fine. |
| How do I make payment arrangements on outstanding fines? |
To make payment arrangements on fines already imposed you will need to see a judge. On traffic violations you will need to appear on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday by 8 am. You will be seen at the end of the morning docket. Please plan accordingly; court can take up to 5 hours. |
| If I am a minor, must a parent attend court with me? If I am a minor must I appear in court? |
Yes. The Municipal Court Judge requires all minors to appear in court with a parent regardless of the offense or if the minor/parent intends to pay the ticket in full. |
| May I attend traffic school? |
You may qualify for a traffic diversion program. If you have no convictions on your driving record for 10 or more years you may qualify for a traffic diversion program. You may read more about this program in the Salem Municipal Court Rules. You must see a judge on or before your summons date to enter the program. |
| What happens if I missed my court date? |
If you were cited for a violation and do not appear as summoned on your citation you will be found guilty by default and the full fine amount on your citation will be assessed against you. You will have 10 days to pay the amount in full or appear to see a judge for a payment arrangement. (For traffic violations you must appear on Monday, Wednesday or Friday check in between 7:00 – 8:00 am.)
If you were cited for a crime and did not appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest (For crimes you must appear on Tuesday or Thursday check in between 7:00 – 8:00 am.).
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| What if I can’t make it to my summoned court date? |
Crimes - If you were cited for a crime you must appear on the date you are summoned on your citation. If you do not appear a warrant will be issued for your arrest. To avoid or clear warrants appear on a Tuesday or Thursday at 8 am to see a judge.
Violations - The court does not reschedule the first appearance on a citation. For a traffic violation you may appear on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday by 8 am, on or before the summons date on your citation. You may follow the directions on your citation to enter a plea.
If you intend to plea ‘not guilty’, you may do this on your citation as instructed and mail in your plea. You may enter a plea of ‘not guilty’ at the Violations Bureau counter between 7 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday (except holidays). If your driving record reflects a guilty by default finding due to failure to appear for a previous citation you may be required to appear before a judge and enter your plea, or post the presumptive fine amount on your citation.
If you intend to plea ‘no contest’ and are able to pay the fine amount on your citation you may enter your plea with the Violations Bureau between 7 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday (except holidays). They will check your driving record to see if you qualify for a reduction in the fine.
Note there may be some circumstances where the court clerks are unable to resolve your citation at the counter and you will be required to appear before the judge on your scheduled date and time.
If you fail to appear, you will be found guilty by default and the full fine amount on your citation will be assessed against you. When you appear after your court date, you will need to appear on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday by 8 am, you will be seen at the end of the morning docket. Please plan accordingly; court can take up to 5 hours.
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| What if I can’t make my payment? |
If you cannot make the court ordered payment agreement you will need to see a judge. The court will notify DMV of the failure to comply with the court order. You will receive a letter from DMV regarding suspension of your driving privileges. |