Marion County Courthouse (File/Salem Reporter)
Marion County residents with cases in circuit court can now sign up for reminders via text.
The new service will send text messages to defendants, petitioners, respondents, and others reminding them of court hearings and other changes to their cases.
Launched by the Oregon Judicial Department, the service is intended to improve communications and reduce the frequency of people failing to appear in court, which can carry financial and legal consequences. The department has launched in “early adopter” counties that include Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Marion, Morrow and Umatilla.
The text reminder service isn’t available for municipal or justice courts. Nor is it available for juvenile proceedings and civil commitment cases. Crime victims can use the service to participate in proceedings.
People who want to use the service need to have a cellphone number on file and opt in to receive notifications.
-Jake Thomas
