Rules

Rules

• Uniform Trial Court Rules
• 2009 Supplementary Local Court Rules                  

Civil Fees

All Civil filing fees must be paid when papers are filed with the Circuit Court.

In some situations the fee may be deferred or waived. The fee deferral/waiver is requested at the time of filing. Depending on the situation, the Court may or may not allow the fee to be deferred or waived. In either situation, deferral or waiver, must have permission (in written form as a fee deferral or fee waiver) from the Court before the filing can be officially accepted by the Court.

In some situations, the Court may allow you to establish a payment plan to pay fees.

If the fee is deferred, the amount is a debt to the State of Oregon and must be paid just like any other debt. If the fee is not paid before the case is completed, a judgment in favor of the State of Oregon will be filed against the party owing the debt. In conjunction with having the same legal status as any other judgment, a judgment in favor of the State of Oregon is often collected by the Oregon Department of Revenue, which may include withholding any tax refunds and/or other monies due to the party from the State of Oregon, or a private collection agency.

If the fee is waived, there is no debt owed unless the Court orders you to pay the fee. If so ordered, the policy is the same as deferred fees.

A civil court proceeding recording fee is required no later than the day of trial. If the fee is not paid, there is no official recording available of the hearing.

A jury fee is required no later than the day of the trial. If the fee is not paid, a jury trial is not available.

Criminal Fines/Fees

All criminal fines and fees are due when the case is adjudicated.

If security has been posted, all or part of the posted amount may be applied to all fines and fees owed to the Court. There is a 15% administration fee imposed by the State of Oregon on any security that is posted.

In some situations, the Court may allow the Defendant the privilege of establishing a payment plan to pay all or part of the fines/fees. However, the Court does not send billing statements. It is the responsibility of the person owing the debt to make the payments as agreed. If a payment is not made as agreed, the account may be declared to be due in full and sent to the Oregon Department of Revenue, or a private collection agency for the purpose of collecting the debt.