Ways to Pay a Parking Ticket
Salem offers three ways to pay a parking ticket:
- In Person
- By Mail
- Online
You must pay your ticket within 14 calendar days of the issue date. If payment is not received by this deadline, a $10 late fee will be added to the fine.
If you pay the fine listed on the ticket without entering a plea, it will be considered a plea of no contest.
How to Contest a Parking Ticket
If you want to contest a parking ticket, you can submit a plea by:
- Appearing in court
- Contacting the court by phone, mail, email, or fax
If you plan to appear in court, refer to the Plan a Court Appearance section for more details.
What Happens If You Do Not Respond?
If you do not pay the fine or submit a plea within 14 calendar days, the Municipal Court will issue an order and judgment of Guilty by Default.
Consequences of Non-Payment
If you fail to pay the fine after a judgment is entered:
- Your case may be referred to a collection agency.
- If your case is referred to a collection agency, a fee of up to 25% of the unpaid case balance will be added to your principal balance for any and all collection fees, charges, or interest due, as allowed by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 697.105.
To avoid additional fees and penalties, respond to your ticket promptly by paying the fine or contacting the court.
How to Pay Traffic Citations and Fines
You can pay traffic citations and fines using one of the following methods:
- In Person
- By Mail
- Through a Drop Box
- Online
Note: Telephone payments are not accepted at this time.
Court Appearance Requirements for Minors
Children under the age of 18 who receive a traffic ticket must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian. This is required for all offenses, even if the ticket will be paid in full.
Violations Bureau
The Violations Bureau is staffed by court employees who are authorized by the judge to handle specific court cases, including most traffic violations.
How to Contact the Violations Bureau
You can contact the Violations Bureau by phone, email, or by visiting the court lobby. Contact information is listed on the left side of this page.
Entering a Plea
When contacting the Violations Bureau, you will need to enter a plea. Follow the instructions on the back of your citation for details. You have two options:
- Plea of Not Guilty
- You may enter a plea of "not guilty" if you do not have any other outstanding traffic fines.
- A hearing will be scheduled where you and the police officer will appear in court. The judge will listen to both sides and make a decision about your case.
- Plea of No Contest
- You may enter a plea of "no contest" and check if your offense qualifies for a fine reduction.
When to Appear in Court
You may need to appear before a judge for the following reasons:
- To request a payment plan.
- If you are unable to pay your fine and your initial court appearance date has passed.
- If you have other matters pending with the court.
For more details, refer to the Plan a Court Appearance section.
Payment Plans
Payment plans can help you manage your fines. Here’s how they work:
- If your fine is less than $1,000, a clerk at the Violations Bureau may be able to set up a payment plan without requiring a court appearance.
- If your fine is $1,000 or more, you must appear in court to request a payment plan.
Payment Plan Requirements
- You must make payments each month as scheduled.
- If you miss a payment, your plan may be revoked. To reinstate your plan, contact the court to discuss your specific situation.
Collections
If you fail to pay your fine or appear in court, your case may be sent to a collection agency.
Additional Fees
If your case is referred to a collection agency, a fee of up to 25% of the unpaid case balance will be added to your principal balance for any and all collection fees, charges and interest due, pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 697.105.
Payment Methods
You can pay your ticket or fine using one of the following methods:
Pay by mail or in person
City of Salem
Customer Service Center
2850 Broadway St NE
Salem, OR 97303
Pay online
Online payments made through CitePayUSA are assessed a 5.95% surcharge.
Please provide the following information:
For Parking Tickets:
- Parking ticket number
- Vehicle license plate to which the ticket was issued
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For Traffic Tickets:
- Your citation number
- Your date of birth or the vehicle plate number
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Can I set up a payment plan?
In most cases, you can contact the court to set up a payment plan.
- For fines of $1,000 or less: A staff member at the Violations Bureau can help you set up a payment plan over the phone or in person.
- For fines over $1,000: You must appear before a judge to request a payment plan.
Financial Status Form
To request a payment plan from the judge, you must complete a financial status form. This form is available when you check in for your court appearance. The judge will determine your monthly payment amount based on your financial situation.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment?
If you fail to make a payment each month, your payment plan will be revoked.
License Suspension
If your payment plan is revoked and your license is suspended, you have options to get your drivers license back. To request reinstatement of your payment plan, you must:
- Appear before a judge, or
- Contact the court for violations using the contact information provided on the left of this page.
What if my debt has been sent to collections?
If you fail to appear or pay as scheduled on your case, it can be referred to collections at any time.
Additional Fees
Once your case is in collections, the amount owed will increase by up to 25%. Payments must then be made directly to the collection agency.
Contact Information for Collection Agencies
- For cases after 2013: Contact Professional Credit Service (PCS) at 877‑411‑8254.
- For cases before 2013: Contact AllianceOne at 800‑456‑8838.
If you are unsure which agency has your case, contact the court for assistance.
Do You Need to Appear in Court to Pay a Fine?
Most fines can be paid without appearing in court. However, some situations may require a court appearance. If you are unsure whether you need to appear, contact the court for clarification.
