Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that the thought of testifying can be stressful, and we are here to help. If you have been subpoenaed to testify and have questions, please call our office and ask to speak with the Deputy District Attorney assigned to your case. The DDA can help prepare you for court or answer any other questions you might have. If you have an important matter that conflicts with the date you are scheduled to testify or if you have problems with transportation, please contact the DDA assigned to your case as soon as possible. The DDA will help navigate this issue and determine if there are any solutions.

Contact the DDA assigned to your case. They can authorize that the police report be released for limited purposes. You may also ask your assigned victim advocate to contact the DDA on your behalf. 

If you are represented by an attorney, Oregon State Bar ethical rules prohibit our office from speaking with you directly under any circumstances. We strongly recommend any person accused of a crime seek legal representation and have all contact with our office through an attorney. Any questions you have concerning your attorney should be directed toward the Clackamas County Circuit Court. 

If you are not represented by an attorney and have questions about the status if your case, you can contact our front desk at 503-655-8431. We cannot offer legal advice, but may answer questions such as whether your case has been submitted to our office, whether a charging decision has been made, and when you are scheduled to appear in court. If you choose to represent yourself, we can explain the process by which you can receive police reports associated with your case. 

License suspensions are not handled by the DA’s office. The Oregon DMV can provide information about how to reinstate your license and how to apply for a hardship permit during a suspension for a breath test failure/refusal or after a conviction for a DUII. Contact the DMV for more information.

A “no complaint” means you have received a citation with a date when you needed to come to court, but on that date, no charges had been filed. It means that the District Attorney’s office either did not believe there was enough proof to charge you with a crime, or did not make a charging decision before the date on your citation and could charge you at a later time. If you have appeared in court and your case has been listed as a “no complaint,” you or your attorney can contact our front desk to inquire about the status of your case. 

Every person has a constitutional right to an attorney and a right to represent themselves. However, representing yourself means that you are waiving your right to an attorney. Waiving a constitutional right  is an important decision that the court does not take lightly.

If you wish to represent yourself because you cannot afford an attorney, first apply for a court-appointed attorney through the Clackamas Indigent Defense Corporation (CIDC). The paperwork is available on the first floor of the Courthouse. The CIDC attorneys are appointed to represent anyone who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. If you do not qualify because you make too much money, contact the Oregon State Bar Modest Means program, which can also provide help in finding an attorney you can afford.

If you still wish to represent yourself, you must fill out a “waiver of counsel” form that you will file with the court. These forms are available either in a courtroom or in Room 201 of the courthouse. You must complete the form and provide it to the judge at your next court appearance. The judge will engage in a conversation with you to ensure that you understand the meaning of your decision to proceed without counsel.

We understand that the thought of testifying can be stressful, and we are here to help. If you have been subpoenaed to testify and have questions, please call our office and ask to speak with the Deputy District Attorney assigned to your case. The DDA can help prepare you for court or answer any other questions you might have. If you have an important matter that conflicts with the date you are scheduled to testify or if you have problems with transportation, please contact the DDA assigned to your case as soon as possible. The DDA will help navigate this issue and determine if there are any solutions.

If you need to report any crime and it is an emergency, call 911. If the information you wish to report is not an emergency but does need the attention of law enforcement, you should contact the law enforcement agency in the city where the crime occurred. If you have concerns about child or elder abuse, you can also contact a specialized hotline that will take your information and route it to the appropriate investigative agency. Below are a list of numbers for law enforcement agencies in Clackamas County:

• Child, Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Hotline: 855-503-SAFE (7233)
• Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office: 503-655-8211
• Canby Police Department: 503-655-8211
• Lake Oswego Police Department: 503-635-0238
• Milwaukie Police Department: 503-786-7400
• Oregon City Police: 503-905-3501
• Sandy Police Department: 503-655-8211
• West Linn Police Department: 503-655-6214

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office seeks to serve our community in many ways, and this includes having representatives of our office speak with citizen groups concerning criminal justice. If you would like to have a DDA present to your group, please email your request to districtattorney@clackamas.us and someone will follow up with you promptly. 

Please visit our public records request form. Once you have completed the form, submit it to recordsmanagementinfo@clackamas.us, and you will receive a response acknowledging receipt of your request within five business days. Once our office has the opportunity to review your request, you will be informed whether the records you seek can be disclosed and if so, the cost associated with producing the records.

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office is located on the bottom floor of the Clackamas County Courthouse, 807 Main Street, Oregon City. Parking in Oregon City near the Courthouse is metered. Most meters allow for two hours of parking time. It’s important to note that if you need to locate the Juvenile Division of the District Attorney’s Office, that office is located at 2121 Kaen Road, Oregon City.

There is a single public entrance on Main Street. After entering the courthouse, you can take the stairs or elevator to the bottom floor to easily locate our office.

To learn more about how The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office works with law enforcement and the different prosecution units within our office, please visit About Our Office.