Do you have fines to pay? County court announces amnesty program and racial bias training

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — The Jackson County Justice Court announced an Amnesty Program for fines because of hardships relating to the pandemic and provided information on how it will address racial bias moving forward.

According to a press release sent by the court, the Amnesty Program will run from July 1 to October 1 and will allow citizens to pay half of the original amount of fines. Additional court fees (but not collection agency fees) for nonpayment will also be forgiven.

The court also specified how the Moratorium on Certain Traffic Offenses that was put into effect with the passing of SB 1601 during Oregon's Special Legislative session will work.

Between March 1 and December 31, 2020, the moratorium will apply to the following violations:
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The Court also clarified that since opening courts on May 13th, the following safety measure have been taken:
The court provided six-foot social distancing seating in the courtroom and lobby
The court enhanced the building’s air exchange capacity to increase the fresh outside air in the building from 30% to 50%, and increased air filters from a MERV 8 to MERV 13 (hospital grade) rating.
The Court is also able to open a courtroom door to the outside fresh air during arraignments and trials.
Everyone is now required, by the Governor’s recent order, to wear a face mask while inside the building.

"We again remind citizens that they do not have to enter the building to take care of a ticket," the court's press release read. "If a citizen enters a plea of no contest (guilty), they can pay by phone, mail, or online; or they can provide a written explanation to the Judge. If a citizen enters a plea of not guilty, they can appear at the trial by phone or provide a written explanation. We highly encourage these alternatives to appear in person."

Budreau said the Medford Police Department is also trying to be selective with who they put into jail because of COVID-19.

When it comes to arresting people, we still arrest people but we're selective on who we take to jail. So we do the more serious offenses, felonies, etc, they're typically the ones that will be going to jail,” Budreau said.

Jackson County Justice of the Peace, Joe Charter, also addressed ways in which the Court will address racial bias moving forward.

"It is past time for courts to acknowledge and face the role that the justice system has played in facilitating systemic racism and criminalization of poverty," Charter wrote in a prepared statement. "Any system can produce unjust results, even when all of the individual actors are doing their best, and with the best of intentions."

Changes will include the following:
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