Court records in Clatsop County, Oregon, are maintained by the clerk of the circuit court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. ClatsopCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Clatsop County. You can also search records through the Clatsop County Circuit Court records page, the Oregon Judicial Department's statewide search tool, and by contacting the clerk's office directly.
Clatsop Court System Overview
Clatsop County is part of the 18th Judicial District of Oregon. The judicial district covers only Clatsop County. Oregon uses a unified circuit court system, meaning one trial court of general jurisdiction handles all case types — there is no separate magistrate or district court division. The Clatsop County Circuit Court has three elected judges: Presiding Judge Beau Peterson, Judge Dawn McIntosh, and Judge Kirk. Cases are assigned among these judges based on internal scheduling and case type.
Courts Serving Clatsop
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clatsop County Circuit Court (18th Judicial District) | 749 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103 | (503) 325-8555 |
| U.S. District Court, District of Oregon (Portland Division) | Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse, 1000 SW Third Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 326-8000 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon | 1001 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 700, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 326-1500 |
| Astoria Municipal Court | 1095 Duane Street, Astoria, OR 97103 | (503) 325-5511 |
Clatsop County falls within the federal District of Oregon. Federal criminal and civil cases are handled in Portland. The Astoria Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and certain traffic offenses within Astoria city limits.
What Types of Cases Clatsop Courts Hear
The Clatsop County Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction, meaning it hears virtually all case types under Oregon law. These include:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Infractions and violations
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims (up to $10,000)
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile — delinquency and dependency proceedings
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Traffic offenses and DUI cases
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Stalking and restraining orders
District Court Cases in Clatsop
Oregon does not use a separate district court structure at the county level. The circuit court functions as the single trial court. In Clatsop County, the circuit court hears all felony criminal cases from arraignment through trial and sentencing. Civil cases of any dollar amount — contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and foreclosures — are filed directly in the circuit court. Appeals from the circuit court go to the Oregon Court of Appeals. Post-conviction relief petitions and probation violation proceedings are also handled at the circuit court level. Cases are assigned to one of the three sitting judges by the presiding judge based on caseload and scheduling.
Magistrate Court Cases in Clatsop
Oregon's circuit courts do not have a separate magistrate division in the traditional sense. However, circuit court judges in Clatsop handle the full range of matters that magistrate courts address in other states:
- Misdemeanors and violations — arraignment, trial, and sentencing
- Felony first appearances — arraignment and preliminary proceedings
- Small claims — disputes up to $10,000 under ORS 46.405–46.570
- Traffic violations — citations, contested hearings, and diversion programs
- DUI cases — arraignment, diversion eligibility hearings, and trial
- Restraining orders — temporary and permanent protective orders
Small claims cases follow simplified procedures and do not require an attorney. Filing fees are lower than standard civil cases. The $10,000 jurisdictional cap applies to the amount of money or damages sought.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Clatsop
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and civil protective orders are all filed in the Clatsop County Circuit Court. Termination of parental rights cases are also heard here. Oregon requires mediation in contested custody and parenting time disputes before trial.
Probate
The circuit court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust disputes. Probate filings are made with the clerk of the circuit court. Oregon follows the Uniform Probate Code in modified form, and most estates can be administered without a formal court hearing if uncontested.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency and dependency (child protective) cases are heard in the circuit court. Juvenile court records are confidential under Oregon law (ORS 419A.255) and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the Clatsop County Juvenile Department for information about juvenile proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Clatsop Court System
- Filing or initiation — A criminal case begins with a complaint, citation, or grand jury indictment. Civil cases start with a complaint and summons. Family law and probate matters begin with a petition filed with the clerk.
- Case assignment — The presiding judge assigns the case to one of the three circuit court judges.
- Initial hearing — Criminal defendants are arraigned (advised of charges, enter a plea, and bail is set). Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or case management order.
- Pre-trial phase — Motions, discovery, plea negotiations (criminal), and settlement discussions (civil) take place. The court may schedule a pre-trial conference.
- Trial or resolution — Cases resolve by plea agreement, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-judgment — Criminal cases proceed to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals go to the Oregon Court of Appeals within 30 days of the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Clatsop
The Clatsop County Circuit Court is administered by the presiding judge (currently Judge Beau Peterson) and a trial court administrator. Local supplementary rules for the 18th Judicial District are available through the court's Rules Center page.
Public Access to Records
- Oregon court records are generally public under ORS 7.095 and the Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR).
- Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed records, adoption records, grand jury proceedings, and certain mental health or protective order filings.
- You can request records in person at the clerk's office or submit a written request through the Clatsop County court records request page.
- Copies and certifications are subject to fees set by the Oregon Judicial Department.
Attending Hearings
Most hearings are open to the public. The Clatsop County Circuit Court offers remote hearing options for certain proceedings — check the court's website for current remote hearing instructions and schedules.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Clatsop
- Online case search: The Oregon Judicial Department provides free online access to court calendars and basic case information for all Oregon circuit courts, including Clatsop County.
- Court records requests: For certified copies or detailed case documents, submit a request through the Clatsop County Circuit Court records page.
- Court forms and self-help: Oregon Judicial Department's Forms Center offers standardized forms for family law, small claims, protective orders, and other case types. Access forms through the Clatsop County Circuit Court website.
- Jail roster: The Clatsop County Jail Roster provides current information on individuals in custody at the county jail, including booking dates and scheduled release.
- Oregon Offender Search: The Oregon Department of Corrections offender search allows you to look up individuals currently or formerly under DOC supervision.
- Criminal history checks: The Oregon State Police CJIS Division processes criminal history record checks under ORS 181A.220. These are not open to general public browsing and require authorization.
- Law enforcement records: The Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) stores warrants, protection orders, and other law enforcement records. Access is restricted to authorized agencies.
- County records inventory: The Oregon Secretary of State's Clatsop County records inventory catalogs historical county records including liens, property assessments, and tax records.
- Property records: Clatsop County property information is available online for tax account lookups and property data.
- Sex offender registry: Oregon's sex offender information is available through the Oregon State Police sex offender inquiry system at sexoffenders.oregon.gov.