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Lane County, Oregon
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eGovernment
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ARRAIGNMENTS/TRIALS
Arraignments: If you wish to speak with a judge regarding your case, open arraignments are held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Check-in time is between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m . Court begins at 8:30 a.m.
If you missed your court arraignment date or are unable to appear in court on the date written on the bottom left hand corner of your ticket, you have an automatic 2 week extension from that date (**see exception below) and may appear at any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning court during those two weeks. If your citation has not been cleared by the end of the extended grace period you will be found guilty by default, and additional fees will be added.
**Exception: Depending on the charge and the Oregon Revised Statutes, you may be giving up an opportunity for dismissal. The charges of Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance and Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance at the time you were cited are eligible for dismissal if proof is shown prior to arraignment. There is no grace period for a dismissal on a Failure to Carry or Present Insurance charge. The statute states that proof must be shown prior to arraignment.
Trials: Trials and arraignments are two different things. The Judge is not allowed to hear testimony on a case scheduled for trial without both sides being present.
There is no grace period for a trial. If you miss a scheduled trial, you will be found guilty by default, and additional fees will be added. If there are extenuating circumstances that arise prior to the scheduled trial date, please contact the court immediately in person or by written material. It is possible that a one-time postponement might be granted, but is at the Judge's discretion.
Important: You CANNOT file paperwork or make pleas by emailing to the webmaster or justice courts, and these types of contacts DO NOT constitute an appearance by a defendant OR a written explanation. You must contact the specific court in writing through standard mail, or appear in court.
