Missed Your Oregon Court Date for a Traffic Ticket?

If you missed your traffic court date in Oregon, you’re not alone. Many people forget, get confused about the date, or never receive the notice. The good news is that you may still have options to reopen the case and protect your driving record.

What Happens If You Miss Court

Missing a traffic court date can lead to serious consequences, including:

• A default judgment against you

• Extra fines or fees

• A hold or suspension on your driver’s license

• Referral to collections

In some situations, your case may still be eligible to be reopened.

Can You Reopen Your Case?

In many Oregon courts, if you missed your court date or failed to respond to a ticket, you may be allowed to ask the court to reopen the case. This usually involves submitting a written request—often called a “motion to set aside” or “request to reopen.” You may need to explain why you missed your date and ask the judge to give you another chance.

Each court has different rules, and deadlines can vary, so it’s important to act quickly.

ORS 153.105:

“If a default judgment is entered against a defendant under ORS 153.105 (Entry), the court may relieve a defendant from the judgment upon a showing that the failure of the defendant to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect. A motion for relief under this section must be made by the defendant within a reasonable time, and in no event may a motion under this section be made more than one year after entry of judgment.”

Need Help Reopening a Missed Court Date?

While there is no guarantee, we have helped many drivers reopen their cases and avoid further penalties, often without them having to go to court.

📩 TEXT OR EMAIL YOUR TRAFFIC TICKET (24/7) FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!

📞 CALL OR TEXT: (503) 308-1407

📧 Email: CaseReview@thekindlawgroup.com

🌐 OregonTrafficAttorneys.com

🚗 SERVING ALL OREGON COUNTIES