What You Need to Know About Going to Court in Oregon
Going to court can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Understanding what to expect can help reduce stress and prepare you for the process. This article explains why you might need to go to court, the different types of court hearings, and tips for getting ready.
Why you might need to go to court
People go to court for many reasons, such as:
- Family law cases: Divorce, custody, or child support
- Small claims: Disputes about money or property under $10,000
- Traffic tickets: Contesting a citation
- Criminal charges: If you’re accused of breaking the law
- Evictions: Landlord-tenant disputes
- Protective orders: For safety in situations like domestic violence
Your reason for going to court will determine what type of hearing you have and how to prepare.
What to expect when you go to court
When you arrive at court, here’s what usually happens:
- Check-in: Go to the courtroom listed on your notice. Some courts require you to check in with a clerk.
- Wait your turn: Be prepared to wait until your case is called. Bring something to occupy your time, like a book or paperwork.
- Speak briefly: When it’s your turn, speak clearly and respectfully. Only share information related to your case.
- Follow the judge’s instructions: The judge will explain what happens next or make a decision.
Tips for preparing for your court date
- Understand your case: Read all court documents carefully. Know the purpose of the hearing and what you need to show the judge.
- Organize your paperwork: Bring copies of any documents related to your case, such as contracts, receipts, or letters. Keep them in a folder so you can find them quickly.
- Practice what to say: Plan what to say if the judge asks you to speak. Be brief and focus on the main points of your case.
- Dress appropriately. Wear clean, neat clothing that shows respect for the court. Business casual is a good choice. Avoid wearing hats, ripped jeans, or graphic T-shirts.
- Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking, go through security, and locate your courtroom.
- Stay calm and respectful: Court can be stressful, but it’s important to stay calm. Speak politely to the judge, court staff, and the other party, even if you’re upset.
Types of court hearings
Court hearings vary based on the case. Some hearings are short and simple, while others require more time and preparation.
- Preliminary hearings. These happen early in the case. The judge might check paperwork, explain procedures, or set future court dates. These hearings are usually brief and may not require you to say much.
- Motions or status hearings. These hearings deal with specific issues before a trial or final decision. For example, a judge might decide temporary custody arrangements or resolve a legal question about evidence.
- Settlement conferences or mediations. These are not traditional hearings but meetings where both sides try to agree without a trial. If you settle, you may avoid going to trial altogether.
- Trials: Trials are formal hearings where each side presents evidence and witnesses. A judge or jury makes a decision based on the law. Trials can take a long time to prepare for and are usually scheduled at the end of the case.
Do you need a lawyer?
You may not need a lawyer for some cases, such as small claims or traffic tickets. However, for more complicated matters, like custody or criminal charges, having a lawyer can make a big difference.
You can use the Legal Directory on this site to search for free or low-cost legal help. If you can afford to hire a lawyer, call Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service for help finding a lawyer.
You can also check out our "Guide to Hiring a Lawyer in Oregon" for more tips on finding the right lawyer for your case.
Takeaways
Going to court can be intimidating, but being prepared can make the experience smoother. Take time to understand your case, organize your documents, and follow court procedures. Remember, not all court hearings are long or complicated, and many cases are resolved before a trial.
If you have questions or need help, don’t hesitate to ask court staff or seek legal advice. You’ve got this!
FAQs About Going to Court
Missing a court date can have serious consequences, like losing your case or having a warrant issued for your arrest. If you can’t make it, contact the court immediately to explain why.
Check your court notice carefully. It will list the date, time, and location of your hearing. If you lose the notice, contact the court for the details.
Yes, you can bring a friend or family member for support. Courtrooms are open to the public. However, only you or your lawyer can speak on your behalf unless they are a witness.
No. You can’t bring any weapons into an Oregon court building, even if you have a concealed weapons permit. If you bring a firearm to court on purpose, you can be charged with a Class C felony.
Many courts have a security check at the entrance, like at an airport. Staff will search purses, backpacks and briefcases. Security may consider pocket knives, box cutters, pepper spray, knitting/crochet needles and scissors to be weapons and will take them away, or they will ask you to leave the courthouse.
Some court hearings will be over the phone or online through a video meeting, and some hearings will be at a courthouse. Read your notice to find out if your hearing is in person or by phone or online.
If your hearing is in person, your hearing notice should provide the address of the courthouse. If the notice doesn’t provide an address, you can find court addresses here. Some counties have more than one courthouse, so make sure you know which one to go to. If you’re not sure, call the court to confirm.
If your hearing is by phone or online, read your hearing notice for instructions on how to call in or join the online video hearing. Find more information on remote hearings here.
It depends! Read your hearing notice carefully.
Many different cases can be scheduled for the same time as your hearing. For example, you might have a hearing at 9 a.m., and when you arrive, 10 other people are waiting to have a hearing at the same time. Some judges will quickly check in with everyone before starting the hearings, but others may not. You may have to wait a while for other cases to finish before you get to talk to the judge.
Even if there are other cases scheduled for the same time, you must be on time. If you’re not on time, you could lose your case and your chance to participate. If you have questions about your hearing, call your court. You can ask about the reason for the hearing, and how long the hearing will take.
Let your workplace know that you will be gone and give yourself extra time before and after your court appearance.
Arrive early for your hearing. Give yourself extra time to:
- Park or use public transit,
- Get through security screening, and
- Find your courtroom.
Some courthouses offer onsite child care, but most do not. Check with your local court.
It is best to have a plan for child care. Sometimes a hearing can start late or take longer than expected. If you have a hearing with a judge, assume that it will take longer, and plan for child care with extra time before and after the hearing.
If you need help to use court services, you can ask for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A reasonable accommodation is a change in a rule or the usual way of doing things so that a person with disabilities can access services.
Fill out the Request for ADA Accommodations form and give it or mail it to your court’s ADA Coordinator. If you need an accommodation for a hearing or trial, you should ask as soon as possible, and not less than four business days before your court date.
Find more information about ADA accommodations at the courts.
Courts must provide an interpreter for free for you to talk with court staff or at your court hearing. Courts do not provide translation for judgments or court records.
If you call or visit the courthouse to file papers or get information about your case, court staff can arrange for an interpreter to translate over the phone. You do not need to ask for this ahead of time.
If you need an interpreter at a hearing, you should let the court know before the hearing. You can fill out a Request an Interpreter form, or call the court listed on your notice before the hearing to let them know.
The court will contact you by mail, email or text message if you need to come back to court. Court staff will give you the date, time, and place of the hearing. It is very important to update the court if your contact information changes. You can also check the court records online to see if there is anything scheduled in your case.