Seatbelt Citation Options
If you are cited to appear in the West Linn Municipal Court for a seatbelt violation, you have the following options:
• Seatbelt Diversion Class, if eligible
• Violations Bureau, if you want to just pay
• Not Guilty Plea
• Appear before the Judge
NOTICE
Please wait one week after receiving your citation before you contact the court regarding any of these options. The court will not be able to assist you until the original citation has been filed by the police officer.
OPTION 1: SEATBELT DIVERSION CLASS
In order to be eligible for this program, you must have:
1. No prior seatbelt convictions in West Linn or any other jurisdiction; and
2. Not previously attended a Seatbealt Diversion Class.
In order to enroll in the Seatbelt Diversion Class, you must follow this procedure:
1. Appear in person at the West Linn Municipal Court counter during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday);
2. Arrange to attend the class according to the schedule that the court clerk will provide to you at the counter. The class has a fee associated with it which is payable in cash to the organization sponsoring the class.
3. Attend the class within 60 days of the date you appear in court.
If you attend the class and follow the required procedures, your citation will be dismissed. No conviction will appear on your DMV record.
If you fail to attend the class, you will be required to pay a fine to the Court, and the conviction will be forwarded to the DMV. You will not have the option of re-enrolling in the Seatbelt Diversion Program.
OPTION 2: VIOLATIONS BUREAU
Under Oregon law, the clerks of the Violations Bureau have the authority to reduce your fine based on your driving record. You must plead "guilty" or "no contest" to exercise this option. If you would rather see a judge, you may appear in court at the time scheduled for your arraignment (as written on the lower left corner of your citation). See Option 4 below for more information about this option.
OPTION 3: NOT GUILTY PLEA
You may enter a "not guilty" plea in writing, as described on the back of your citation, or in court at your arraignment. If you plead not guilty, the court will not consider your explanation until the time set for your trial. The officer will be required to appear at your trial, which will take place within a three-month time period.
OPTION 4: APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE
The judge will be available to hear your explanation or concerns when you appear in court for arraignment at the time stated on the front of your citation. Please be aware that the judge cannot reduce the fine more than 25% below the Base Fine on the front of your citation.
You do not need to see the judge for arraignment if you want to plead "not guilty", enter the Seatbelt Diversion Class or enter a plea to the Violations Bureau. If you want to choose one of those options, tell the clerk at the time you check into court for arraignment. Be sure to check in with the clerks if you decide to talk to the judge, since cases are called in the order of appearance.
When the judge calls your case, you will be asked to enter a plea of "guilty", "no contest" or "not guilty." If you plead "guilty" or "no contest," the judge will consider your explanation and driving record in determining your fine. The judge's decision is final.
If you fail to appear or take other action on the citation, a default judgment can be entered, a fine will be assessed and the court will order a suspension of your right to drive in Oregon.
PAYMENTS
Payments can be made as follows:
• In cash
• By check or money order
• VISA or MasterCard (at the Court counter, by telephone and online)
• Enter into a Payment Agreement. If you cannot pay the fine in full within 30 days of signing the agreement there may be an administrative fee charged as well. If you fail to make payments on time, the Court can suspend your license and/or impose a higher fine.
Please include the citation/summons number (located in the upper right corner of the citation) on your check or money order. If you want a receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.