Multnomah County Traffic Ticket Lookup
Multnomah County traffic ticket records are kept by the Circuit Court in Portland. The court is part of Oregon's 4th Judicial District. It handles all traffic violations filed in the county. You can search these records online or visit the courthouse. Multnomah County has over 800,000 residents, making it the largest county in Oregon. The Circuit Court processes traffic citations from local law enforcement, parking violations, and TriMet citations. Staff at the Traffic Section can help you find your case. Records go back many years and are open to the public under Oregon law.
Multnomah County Quick Facts
Multnomah County Circuit Court Traffic Section
The Circuit Court handles all traffic ticket records in Multnomah County. This court is a division of the Oregon Judicial Department. It processes traffic violations, parking citations, and TriMet fare violations. The Traffic Section has its own phone line for case inquiries. You can reach them at (503) 988-3235 and press option 2 for traffic matters.
Multnomah County does not hold court records at the county level. All traffic ticket records are managed through the Circuit Court, which is part of the state court system. The Multnomah County Circuit Court has four locations across the county. The Central Courthouse sits at 1200 SW 1st Avenue in Portland. The Justice Center is at 1111 SW 2nd Avenue. East County Courthouse serves the area from 18480 SE Stark Street in Portland. A fourth location, the Juvenile Justice Center, is at 1401 NE 68th Avenue. Traffic cases are heard at the Central Courthouse and East County Courthouse. Call ahead to find out which location will hear your case in Multnomah County.
The Multnomah County Circuit Court website lists the types of traffic ticket records it handles, including the STOP, START, and DISP programs for eligible drivers.
| Court |
Multnomah County Circuit Court Central Courthouse 1200 SW 1st Avenue Portland, OR 97204 Traffic Section: (503) 988-3235 (option 2) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | courts.oregon.gov/courts/multnomah |
Search Multnomah County Traffic Ticket Records Online
There are several ways to look up traffic ticket records in Multnomah County. The fastest method is an online search. Oregon's court system offers two main tools. Oregon eCourt Case Information, known as OJCIN, covers all 36 circuit courts in the state. A subscription gives you access to traffic ticket records in Multnomah County and every other Oregon county. Visit the OJCIN page to learn about subscription options and fees.
You can also use the free Find a Case tool on the Oregon Judicial Department website. This lets you search by name or case number. It provides basic case details. For full documents, you will need to contact the clerk or visit in person at the Multnomah County courthouse.
Free public access terminals are also at the courthouse. Walk in and use them during business hours. These terminals let you search traffic ticket records without a fee. Staff can help if you need it. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 per document in Multnomah County.
Note: Traffic ticket records in Multnomah County are public under ORS 192, but some records may have limited access based on case type.
Paying Traffic Tickets in Multnomah County
Once you find your traffic ticket record, you may need to pay a fine. The Oregon Judicial Department runs an online payment system called ePay. This tool lets you pay traffic fines from any Multnomah County case. You will need your case number. A $1.50 processing fee applies to each online payment.
You can also pay in person at the Central Courthouse in Portland. Bring your citation or case number. The clerk accepts payments during regular business hours. Mail payments are another option. Send a check or money order to the Multnomah County Circuit Court at 1200 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR 97204. Include your case number on the check.
Traffic Violations in Multnomah County Records
Traffic ticket records in Multnomah County cover a wide range of cases. The most common are moving violations. These include speeding, running red lights, and failing to stop at a sign. Each violation creates a record in the Circuit Court system. Oregon law under ORS Chapter 153 governs how violations and fines are handled across the state, including in Multnomah County.
The court also handles parking citations. Portland issues a large number of parking tickets each year. These become part of the traffic ticket records at the Multnomah County Circuit Court. TriMet fare violations also go through this court. Riders who do not pay their fare can receive a citation that becomes a court record.
Multnomah County traffic ticket records may include:
- Speeding and moving violations
- Red light and stop sign violations
- Parking citations from Portland and other cities
- TriMet fare citations
- Cell phone and distracted driving violations
The Multnomah County Justice Reform Program, known as MCJRP, offers options for some traffic cases. The STOP and START programs let eligible drivers resolve certain violations through classes or community service instead of fines. Ask the Traffic Section about these programs when you call about your Multnomah County traffic ticket.
Multnomah County Records and Archives
The Multnomah County Records and Archives Division provides records management services to more than 200 county agencies. This division does not hold traffic ticket records. Those are kept by the Circuit Court. But the Records and Archives Division can help with other county documents that may relate to your case.
For help locating records in Multnomah County, the division offers guidance on where different types of documents are stored. Traffic ticket records are always at the Circuit Court. Criminal history records are through the Oregon State Police, not the county. Knowing where to look saves time.
Note: Multnomah County does not process court records requests directly, so always go through the Circuit Court or the Oregon Judicial Department for traffic ticket records.
Traffic Ticket Discovery Records
If you plan to fight a traffic ticket in Multnomah County, you may need discovery records. These are documents that support your defense. They can include the officer's notes, radar calibration logs, and other evidence tied to your citation. The Multnomah County Circuit Court provides access to discovery materials for traffic cases.
Request discovery records through the court clerk. Give them your case number. The clerk will tell you what is in the file. Copies cost $0.25 per page at the Multnomah County courthouse. Some records may take time to gather, so plan ahead. Requesting discovery early helps you prepare for your court date.
Portland Public Records and Traffic Tickets
The City of Portland runs its own public records portal. The city responds to tens of thousands of records requests each year. Some of these relate to traffic enforcement. The Portland Public Records Portal is the place to submit a request for city-held documents tied to your traffic stop or citation.
The city does not accept records requests by phone or email. This is set by City rule ARA 8.03. You must use the online portal. Requests may take two to four weeks to fulfill. For help, contact the Legal Records team at prrhelp@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-6040. Keep in mind that the city holds records about enforcement actions, while the actual traffic ticket records and court files are at the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Oregon Laws on Multnomah County Traffic Records
Oregon's public records law governs access to traffic ticket records in Multnomah County. Under ORS 192, most court records are open to the public. You do not need to be the person named on a ticket to request the record. Anyone can look up traffic ticket records at the courthouse or through online tools.
ORS Chapter 153 sets the rules for violations and fines in Oregon. This chapter covers how traffic tickets are processed, what fines apply, and how courts handle cases. It applies to all traffic ticket records in Multnomah County. Fines vary based on the type of violation. The court may also add fees for late payment or failure to appear.
Note: Unpaid traffic tickets in Multnomah County can lead to a suspended license, so check your records and resolve any open cases promptly.
Cities in Multnomah County
Multnomah County includes several cities. All traffic ticket records from these cities are processed through the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland. The court serves the full county from its four locations.
Other communities in Multnomah County include Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. Traffic tickets from all of these areas go through the same Circuit Court system.
Nearby Counties
Multnomah County shares borders with several other counties. Washington County lies to the west. Clackamas County is to the south. Columbia County sits to the north. Hood River County is to the east. If your traffic stop happened near a county line, check which jurisdiction issued the ticket. Your traffic ticket records will be at the circuit court for that county, not Multnomah County.