Programs and Alternative Sanctions

Court Programs and Alternative Sanctions

Reduced budget funding has provided the local justice community with the opportunity to join together to seek new and creative ways to continue providing high quality service. Over the past few years the court has taken a proactive role in developing partnerships with community service providers, Quality Research Associates, Lane County Adult Corrections, and Lane County Behavioral Health to provide fair, education-based programs to improve the defendants’ ability for successful behavior change. The Eugene Municipal Court has worked together with these service providers to develop deferred prosecution programs for shoplifting, theft, some alcohol related offenses as well as having a program for DUII diversion and restorative justice. In addition to the above mentioned programs, the court also offers several non-diversion traffic and education programs.


Deferred Prosecution and Diversion Programs


  • Theft Deferred Prosecution
    The theft deferred prosecution program, available to first time theft offenders, requires an upfront Guilty or No Contest plea, payment of court costs and restitution (if imposed), no new theft related offenses during the deferred prosecution program period, and attendance at an in-custody arraignment session. Successful completion of all the terms and conditions of the six month deferred prosecution program will result in the charge being dismissed. Failure to complete the terms and conditions of the deferred prosecution program will result in acceptance of the upfront Guilty or No Contest plea and have a sentence imposed. Additional information regarding this program is available HERE.

  • Alcohol-Related Deferred Prosecution
    Participation in this deferred prosecution program is available for certain first-time alcohol related offenses and requires an upfront Guilty or No Contest plea, payment of the court costs, attendance at an educational program, payment of a non-refundable fee to the program provider and provision of completion documents to the court prior to the sentencing date. If you successfully complete all these requirements and commit no new similar offenses during the four month deferred prosecution program the charge will be dismissed. Failure to comply with all terms of the deferred prosecution agreement including notifying the court of your class completion, and failing to appear at your sentencing date will result in a Guilty or No Contest pleas being entered, imposition of a fine, fees and a suspension of your driver’s license and /or your right to drive in Oregon. Unpaid fines and fees will be turned over to an outside collection agency. Additional information regarding this program is available HERE.

  • Misrepresentation of Age Deferred Prosecution
    The Misrepresentation of Age deferred prosecution program is available to defendants who have not previously participated in an alcohol deferred program through Eugene Municipal Court. The program requires an upfront Guilty or No Contest plea, payment of the court costs within 6 months, attendance at an educational program, attendance at an in-custody arraignment session, payment of a non-refundable fee to the program provider and provision of completion documents to the court prior to the sentencing date. If you successfully complete all these requirements and commit no new similar offenses during the six month deferred prosecution program the charge will be dismissed. Failure to comply with all terms of the deferred prosecution agreement including notifying the court of your class completion, and failing to appear at your sentencing date will result in a Guilty or No Contest pleas being entered, imposition of a fine, fees and a suspension of your driver’s license and /or your right to drive in Oregon. Unpaid fines and fees will be turned over to an outside collection agency. Additional information regarding this program is available HERE.

  • Restorative Justice Deferred Prosecution
    Individuals who are charged with violation of the Unruly Gathering Ordinance (EC 4.672) may be eligible to participate in the Restorative Justice Deferred Prosecution Program. It requires an upfront Guilty or No Contest plea, commit no new related offenses during the deferred prosecution program period, pay the court’s deferred prosecution fee of $75.00 within six months of arraignment date, sign for and appear at a sentencing date at least six months from the date of entry into the program, attend an intake meeting and participate in the Restorative Justice process (generally up to 2 hours.) Successful completion of all the terms and conditions of the six month deferred prosecution program will result in the charge being dismissed. Failure to comply with all terms of the deferred prosecution agreement requires an appearance on the disposition date set by the court. Failure to appear on this date results in imposition of a fine and the full State and County assessments. You will need to contact the court to make arrangements to pay the additional monies. Failure to pay or make payment arrangements may result in license suspension and your account being turned over to a collection agency and additional fees imposed. Additional information regarding this program is available HERE.

  • Traffic Deferred Prosecution / Traffic School
    Traffic Deferred Prosecution, also known as Traffic School is another option provided by the court to resolve certain "moving" minor traffic violations including seatbelt violations. NOTE: Distracted Driving violations are not eligible for this program. Qualified drivers must have a valid driver’s license (cannot be a commercial driver’s license), not have any other traffic offenses in the last 2 years, have not participated in any other similar program in the last 2 years. Successful completion of the program includes entering a plea of No Contest, paying the assessed court fee within 6 months, pay for and attend the court-approved traffic school program within 6 months. Successful completion of the program will result in dismissal of your citation at the end of the six month period. Failure to complete the program will result in a conviction on your driving record. You will need to appear for sentencing or enhanced fines will be assessed and owed. More information regarding the Traffic Deferred Prosecution / Traffic School program is available  HERE.
  • Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) Diversion
    The offense of DUII is a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon law. Due to the seriousness of this offense and strict diversion requirements, Eugene Municipal Court strongly recommends consulting with an attorney before deciding how to proceed.

  • Mental Health Court Diversion
    Eugene Municipal court’s Mental Health diversion program was developed in conjunction with Laurel Hill. It requires an upfront Guilty or No Contest plea, commit no new crimes during the 6 month diversion period, appear for all scheduled court sessions, successfully complete recommended treatment program and pay any restitution imposed. Failure to comply with all terms of the diversion agreement will result in imposition of a fine and/or a warrant issued for your arrest. Successful completion of all the terms and conditions within the 6 month diversion period will result in the charge being dismissed. More information can be found in the Mental Health Court Manual.

  • Community Court 
    Community Court seeks to respond to public safety concerns through a combined strategy of holding offenders accountable and offering to help participants with a range of social needs, including treatment under judicial supervision. Specified offenses which occur in the downtown patrol area are cited to Community Court. Community Court is held every Friday at the Eugene City Library. Services at Community Court are available to the community at large. A community member does not need a citation to appear to utilize the resources available. More information regarding this program is available HERE.

Non-Diversion Programs


  • High Risk Driver Program
    The High Risk Driver program is an additional sentencing requirement for drivers who engage in driving activity such as careless or reckless driving, driving at excessive speeds, violations involving accidents, or a driving behavior that places lives in danger. The course is coordinated and based at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, a regional trauma center in Portland, Oregon. Defendants referred to this program will pay a course fee to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Failure to attend the course after receiving a referral from the court will result in a license suspension or a contempt of court charge being filed.

  • Violations Bureau
    The Violations Bureau is an option provided by the Eugene Municipal Court to resolve certain eligible minor traffic violations with a reduction in the fine by looking at the person’s driving record. Per ORS 153.800 and Municipal Court Order 98-001, Eugene Municipal Court clerks have been appointed by the presiding judge to serve as Violations Bureau clerks. Qualified persons must have a citation for a traffic violation listed on the Violations Bureau Fine Reduction Schedule, have two or less moving violations (including the new charge) within the past two years and the new charge cannot involve an accident. Eligibility requirements and more detailed information regarding this program are available in the VIOLATIONS BUREAU INFORMATION SHEET. Persons charged with a Distracted Driving violation may be eligible to get the fine reduced or have the fine suspended by attending a class. More information regarding Distracted Driving and the Distracted Driving Avoidance Course is available in the DISTRACTED DRIVING AVOIDANCE COURSE INFO SHEET. 
  • Vehicle Compliance Program
    This program, developed by Eugene Police, provides motorists the option to correct or repair certain violations prior to their court date and receive a reduced fine. The Vehicle Compliance Program requires the driver to correct or repair the violation prior to the court date, complete a Vehicle Compliance form, have EPD sign off on the form, present the completed form to the court and pay an administrative fee of $50. Successful completion of all steps may result in dismissal of the violation citation. Additional information and application form regarding this program is available HERE.


Alternative Sanctions


  • Community Service
    The Community Service Program offers an alternative to serving time or paying fines by allowing defendants to contribute their skills and labor with various nonprofit government agencies throughout Lane County. This program, managed by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, contributes thousands of hours each year of voluntary labor and expertise to many non-profit and government agencies throughout the county. Types of placement include preparing food boxes, supporting recycling programs, providing senior nutrition, assisting housing programs, libraries, local parks and many other programs in Lane County.


  • Road Crew
    The Sheriff’s Work Crew program is an alternative to incarceration and is available to certain defendants sentenced for short periods of time or sentenced to do time on weekends. Work Crew participants are assigned to one of the various crews that work on projects paid for by local government and non-profit agencies. Work is done under the supervision of a deputy sheriff and can include vegetation control, park/trail maintenance, and litter removal.

More Information

If you have received a citation for one of the above mentioned charges, please feel free to contact the court at (541) 682-5400 for additional information.


Disclaimer

The information on this site does not constitute legal advice, it is provided for information only. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, there is no guarantee as to the accuracy.