As a reminder, Judge Richard Harper of Brookings Municipal Court would like to reiterate that it is in everyone’s best interest to appear in Court if you receive a traffic citation or to pay the fine in advance.
As of August 1, 2017, those who fail to appear or do not pay their fines prior to Court will be found guilty by default. This means all fines are doubled, license is then sanctioned and the citation will be sent to collections with additional fees.
The Oregon statues allow a Court to fine a person up to $2000 for a class A violation. Driving while suspended is a class A violation and the presumptive fine is $440. If you fail to appear on a class A violation that presumptive fine doubles and becomes $880. There is then a $25 failure to appear fee, a $25 License sanction/processing fee and a $25 collection fee, which brings the total to $955. Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles charges a $75 fee to reinstate your license and the collection agency may also add an additional amount for collections according to ORS 697.105.
It is in everyone’s best interest to pay the fines or appear in court to plead your case before Judge Harper. If you have any questions regarding your citations you may call the Municipal Court Clerk, Pamela Ganey-Welburn, at 541-469-1114.
Brookings Municipal Court times will change beginning September 1, 2019. Court is held once a month on the first Thursday of each month. Arraignments will now begin at 10:00 AM. Juvenile court time will remain at 12:00 PM.