Marion County DUI Attorney

updated 1/26

Facing a DUI charge in Marion County can feel like your world is falling apart, but it doesn’t have to define your future. At Reynolds Defense Firm, our Marion County DUI lawyers provide compassionate, focused legal defense to good people who made a mistake—helping them protect their futures and move forward with their lives.

• Oregon requires you to request a DMV hearing within just 10 days of your DUI arrest if you want to challenge your license suspension, making prompt legal action essential.
• Our experienced Marion County DUI lawyers understand how the Marion County Circuit Court in Salem handles DUI cases, allowing us to develop effective strategies tailored to local practices.
• Reynolds Defense Firm focuses entirely on DUI defense, with eight attorneys and over 100 years of combined experience representing good people throughout Oregon.

Who are the good people we help? They’re productive members of society. They’re folks with integrity who know right from wrong. They are people like you who generally respect the law but find themselves in a situation they never expected.

Our CEO, MacDaniel Reynolds, understands this personally. Over twenty years ago, he was arrested for a DUI. He combined that personal experience with years of professional experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney to build Reynolds Defense Firm—the firm he wished he could have found when he needed help. Contact us today for a free consultation with our trusted Marion County DUI lawyers.

Local Knowledge in Salem and Marion County

Every county handles DUI cases differently. The Marion County courts in Salem have their own prosecutors, judges, and procedures. When you’re facing serious consequences, you need attorneys who understand exactly how things work locally.

Our DUI attorneys have extensive experience in Marion County courts. We know what local prosecutors prioritize, how judges typically respond to different situations, and what strategies work best in Salem. Our Salem office puts us right in the heart of the community we serve.

DUI Defense Is All We Do

Police agencies employ officers who focus specifically on DUI investigations. These officers receive intensive training and spend their shifts looking for impaired drivers. When you’re facing a trained professional, you deserve representation from attorneys who are equally focused.

Reynolds Defense Firm does one thing very well—we represent good people facing DUI charges. Our entire firm concentrates exclusively on Oregon DUI law. We don’t dabble in other areas. This singular focus means we stay current on every legal development, testing procedure update, and defense strategy that could help your case.

Understanding the Oregon DUI Process

After a DUI arrest in Marion County, you’ll likely receive a citation to appear at the Marion County Circuit Court. Your first appearance is called an arraignment, where you’ll enter a plea and learn more about the charges against you.

But the court process is just one part of what you’re facing. There’s also the administrative side involving your driver’s license and the DMV. These two tracks run separately, and both require attention.

The 10-Day DMV Deadline

If you failed or refused a breath test, Oregon law gives you only 10 days to request a hearing if you want to challenge the automatic suspension of your license. This deadline is strict—miss it, and you lose the opportunity.

Our team has strong experience with DMV hearings, and we’ve helped many clients successfully challenge their suspensions. But we can only help if you contact us quickly. The sooner you reach out, the more options we have to protect your driving privileges.

Paths to Resolving Your Case

There are three common ways we help clients resolve DUI cases successfully: diversion, negotiation, and trial.

Oregon’s DUI Diversion Program offers eligible individuals a chance to avoid a criminal conviction. By completing a year-long program with assessments, classes, and treatment requirements, you can have your charges dismissed entirely. Not everyone qualifies, but our attorneys can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the process.

When diversion isn’t available, skilled negotiation often achieves favorable outcomes. And when your case requires it, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to defend you in court.

Beyond the Courtroom

At Reynolds Defense Firm, we see our role as more than just legal representation. A DUI arrest often comes during a difficult period in someone’s life, and it can be an opportunity for positive change.

Our Window of Clarity program provides resources to help clients examine the circumstances that led to their arrest and make meaningful changes. We want you to come out of this experience not just with your case resolved, but as a stronger person than before.

What’s at Stake

A DUI conviction in Oregon carries serious consequences, including potential jail time, fines, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and a criminal record that can affect employment and other opportunities. The impact extends far beyond the immediate legal penalties.

That’s why we are so deeply committed to securing results for our clients. When you have a Reynolds Defense Firm attorney standing beside you in court, it demonstrates that you’re taking this seriously and that you have a respected team behind you.

Our Marion County DUI Lawyers—Voted Best DUI Law Firm

Reynolds Defense Firm has been voted Best DUI Law Firm in the Willamette Valley three years running. That recognition reflects our commitment to providing excellent legal representation and genuine care for the people we serve.

With over 5,000 clients helped and predictable flat fees instead of hourly billing, we make the process as manageable as possible during a difficult time.

Get Your Free Consultation

The stress of a DUI charge can feel overwhelming, but talking to our team can help you start breathing easier.

Contact our dedicated Marion County DUI lawyers at Reynolds Defense Firm today for your free consultation. We’re here to help good people like you get through this and move forward.

Do You Need a Marion County DUI Attorney?

You do not need to face this challenge alone. DUI charges are serious matters that can have far-reaching effects on your life, impacting your ability to drive and jeopardizing job prospects, among other things. If you are dealing with a DUI charge in Marion County, Oregon, it is crucial to promptly seek out a seasoned DUI specialist. The potential consequences are simply too serious to do otherwise. No matter the details surrounding your arrest, a skilled Marion County DUI attorney can be invaluable in helping to achieve success for you and your loved ones.

Our team of specialized DUI lawyers has over 100 years of combined experience defending good people against DUI charges in the state of Oregon. Accordingly, that experience comes to bear on every single case we accept. For example, our team includes former prosecutors who have trained law enforcement officers in writing reports, so they have valuable perspective when reviewing the evidence in your case. Similarly, our team includes dedicated Marion County DUI attorneys who specialize in that specific jurisdiction. That local knowledge makes your process less stressful and frequently less severe.

While there are numerous criminal defense lawyers out there, only a few are part of a dedicated DUI defense team. We’ve come to understand that no matter how skilled an attorney is, they need the right team behind them to deliver their absolute best for each client.

FAQ About DUI Arrests in Marion County, Oregon

A lot of our clients from Marion County commonly ask us, “What if I refused Field Sobriety Tests?” Drivers who are stopped by police on suspicion of DUI are typically asked to take field sobriety tests (“FST’s”). Usually, these tests are carried out on the side of the road and the information that is gathered becomes part of the evidence. Refusal does not carry legal consequences in the same sense as if you were to refuse the breath test.

After an initial refusal at the side of the road, the officer reads what is called the ROHRS Admonishment, which is a broad description of the process. Secondly, the officer describes to you what the tests are, which commonly include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test (“HGN”), walk and turn test, and the one-leg stand. Then, if you still say that you do not want to take the FST’s, the officer will tell you that your refusal can be used against you in court. Basically, that means that if you were to take your case to trial, the State could offer your refusal as evidence that you didn’t take the tests because you knew you would fail. Essentially, that’s the only “consequence” for refusing the FST’s. For more DUI FAQ’s, visit this page.

Marion County Circuit Court

Photo Credit: John Deacon

While the Salem Municipal Court handles some misdemeanor cases such as DUI, the majority of DUI cases are cited into the Marion County Circuit Court. Trials and some hearings are held at the Marion County Circuit Courthouse. However, most arraignments and some other hearings are conducted at the Circuit Court Annex, located at 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, OR 97317. Please make sure to carefully review your paperwork about where you are expected to go.

If your citation directs you to appear at the Marion County Circuit Court, please go to:

100 High St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
View Map

Main Telephone
503.588.5105

Courthouse Hours
8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:00pm, Mon-Fri

The courthouse is closed on legal holidays

For information specific to the city of Salem, Oregon, take a look at our Salem information page.

About Marion County, Oregon

Normally, after a DUI arrest, you’ll need to avoid alcohol as a condition set by the court. While many of our clients might not have trouble staying away from alcohol, finding fun social activities that don’t involve drinking could be something new to think about. To lend a hand, here are a few enjoyable local things to do while you’re in Marion County:

The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St, Silverton, OR 97381

The Oregon Garden, located in Silverton, Oregon, is a sprawling 80-acre botanical garden and popular tourist destination. Established in 1999, it boasts more than 20 unique gardens, including the enchanting Rose Garden, the playful Children’s Garden, and the productive Silverton Market Garden. This delightful attraction welcomes visitors every day of the year and serves as a venue for both public and private events.

Oregon State Fair and Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301

The Oregon State Fair is a cornucopia of attractions and family fun, returning every August through September. And the rest of the year you can visit prepared for events, learning opportunities, and tours. The Oregon State Fair and Exposition offers 185 acres of opportunities for events and is unique among this state’s event locations. To see what’s coming in the immediate future, check this link.

Call Reynolds Defense Firm for Your Free Consultation

If you find yourself dealing with a DUI or related criminal matter in the Salem or elsewhere in Marion County, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. We understand that facing arrest and criminal charges is daunting and even traumatic, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Ultimately, choosing Reynolds Defense Firm to stand by your side means setting yourself up for success. Every day, we strive for our clients to achieve their goals, both in and out of the courtroom.