Traffic Violation vs Traffic Crime

On the front of the citation under the title OREGON UNIFORM CITATION AND COMPLAINT is a series of boxes. The officer will have marked either CRIME(S) or VIOLATIONS - Traffic.

Traffic Violation

A traffic violation is an offense where the penalty is a fine. Examples of those offenses include:

  • Speeding
  • Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device
  • Driving Uninsured

 

Traffic Crime

A traffic crime is a misdemeanor offense where you could serve jail time. Examples of those offenses include:

  • Hit and Run
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Failure to Stop at a Scene of an Accident