Frequently Asked Questions

An arraignment is a first appearance in court. Defendants will enter a plea and be notified of their rights. If a plea of No Contest is entered, you will see the judge and if a plea of Not Guilty is entered a trial will be set for a future date.

In 1997, Oregon passed a law which requires the registered owner of a vehicle to notify the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) of the sale or transfer within 10 days. If you have not notified the DMV of the sale of your vehicle, you need to contact the DMV ASAP at NOTIFY DMV and select the option "Report Your Vehicle Sold."

Municipal Court has contacted you because you are the listed owner according to the DMV. 

This court requires personal appearances for certain violations. If your citation states; Must Appear, M.A. or Appear you must appear in court to handle. In the event you wish to seek a reduction in fine, or compliance dismissal in relation to a citation for FAIL TO CARRY PROOF OF INSURANCE OR DRIVING UNINSURED, you must provide proof of insurance at least two business days prior to your court date. If the proof of insurance is not submitted prior to the court date, your appearance date will be moved so the insurance may be verified.

For violations that do not require a formal court appearance and you would like to handle prior to the court date, they may be handled by a Court Clerk during regular business hours.

If you miss your initial court date, unless there is a justifiable excuse for missing your court date as stipulated under ORS 153.10, in addition to the presumptive fine for your violation(s), a Failure to Appear fee will be applied to each of your violation(s). Furthermore, the Department of Motor Vehicles will receive a notice of conviction for your violation(s).

If the fines and fees are not paid by the due date, your driver’s license will be suspended, and your account will be sent to collections. 

Trials are scheduled upon a plea of “Not Guilty,” or as ordered by the court, and are normally scheduled within 4 to 6 weeks of entering your plea. Trials are scheduled based on court and officer(s) availability, with night court being an option that may be assigned.

If you fail to appear at your Trial the court may:

• Issue a warrant for your arrest on criminal citations;
• Take Action to suspend your driver’s license; and/or
• Pursuant to ORS 153.102, determine guilt or innocence without your presence and, if found guilty, impose sentence, which may include a fine in excess of the presumptive fine amount on violation citations.
• Add a Failure to Appear Fee per violation.

Once a judgement has been entered and fines have been imposed, you have up to 30 days to pay in full with no additional fee or a payment plan may be set-up with a small fee being added. This option allows for smaller payments to be made over a period of time, up to a year.

• Online Payments:       PAY ONLINE
• Phone Payments:       541-883-5311
• Mail Payments:          Klamath Falls Municipal Court, P.O. Bo 237, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601                               
• In Person:                  500 Klamath Avenue during regular business hours

In the event you are unable to make the payments as ordered it is recommended that you contact the court to discuss options.

When appearing in court, please do not wear shorts, thin strap tops, pajamas or swimsuits. And if you bring a hat or sunglasses, please take them off while you’re in court.

• No weapons are allowed in the court room.
• Cell phones, pagers and electronic devices must be silenced or turned off while in court.
• No food or drinks are allowed in the court room.
• Appropriate clothing must be worn in court.
• Children must be under the direct supervision of an adult and must behave while in court. If they are being disruptive you will be asked to leave the court room.

Klamath County Circuit Court (13^th Judicial)          541-883-5503

Klamath County Justice Court                                541-884-1864

Klamath County Juvenile Department                    541-884-4167

Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles                   503-945-5000

The DMV offers a hardship permit (or hardship license) which can allow holders to operate vehicles for a limited time while they are in the process of obtaining car insurance or being reinstated. If the judge has recommended that you obtain a hardship license, please fill out the following application and submit directly to the DMV along with their requested payment. The charge is a maximum of $125.

NOTE: Municipal Court clerks cannot help you fill out this application; in addition, completing and submitting the application does not guarantee that the DMV will grant you a hardship license. The DMV will determine if your circumstances qualify for a hardship license and will notify you based on their conclusion.

Our court generally offers an in-person traffic school for most cases. However, at the judge’s discretion, an online course may be assigned instead. Please contact the court for more details if you believe an online option may be applicable to your case.