Purposes of the court
Some of the goals of the municipal court are to:
- Provide individual justice in individual cases
- Provide a formal record of legal status
- Deter criminal behavior
- Rehabilitate persons convicted of a crime
Divisions and functions
Salem Municipal Court performs its functions to help achieve the goals and mission of the court for the benefit of the community.
Records requests, collections, and business operations
The court is responsible to maintain the integrity of court files and documents, and to provide records upon request. Court manages their software application, which includes entering case information for all citations and violations. The court also performs
collections activities for unpaid fines, fees, assessments, and forfeited payment plans.
Hear cases and make judicial determinations
At Salem’s Municipal Court, one elected, full-time judge and seven
pro tempore judges make a determination about any case within the City’s jurisdiction. Some of the most frequent cases that judges hear are related to:
- Parking tickets
- Traffic tickets
- Driving under the influence of intoxicants
- Use of alcohol in public
- Trespass
- Vagrancy
A judge may also conduct a jury or bench trial.
Resolve tickets
Court employees staff the
Violations Bureau and are authorized by the elected judge to handle specific court matters, such as parking tickets and most traffic tickets. The Violations Bureau helps customers by accepting pleas and reducing fines, if eligible. It also sets up court appearances and provides information about
appearing in court.
Provide information about your case
Court staff is able to give you details about your individual case, either by phone or in person. If you have questions, please call or come in. Court staff cannot provide legal advice or attorney recommendations.
