(a) The county in which the violation was committed; or

(b) Any other county whose county seat is a shorter distance by road from the place where the violation was committed than is the county seat of the county in which the violation was committed.

(2)(a) If a violation proceeding is commenced in the county in which the violation was committed, the proceeding may be commenced in a circuit or justice court of the county or, if the violation was committed within a city, in the municipal court.

(b) If a violation proceeding is commenced in a county other than the county in which the violation was committed, the proceeding may be commenced:

(A) In a circuit court;

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 51.050 that limit the jurisdiction of justice courts to offenses committed within the county, in a justice court; or

(C) If the violation was committed within a city, in the municipal court of the city.

(3) A Central Violations Bureau established under ORS 153.806 may conduct violation proceedings for a violation commenced in circuit court notwithstanding the county in which the proceeding is commenced.

(4)(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if a violation proceeding is commenced in a county other than the county in which the violation was committed, at the request of the defendant the place of trial may be changed to the county in which the violation was committed. A request for a change of the place of trial shall be made prior to the date set for the trial and shall be governed by the provisions of ORS 131.305 to 131.415 relating to change of venue.

(b) A defendant may not request that the place of trial be changed if the violation was committed within a city and the proceeding is commenced in the municipal court of the city.

(5) Except as specifically provided in this section, venue in violation proceedings in circuit courts is governed by ORS 131.305 to 131.415. [1999 c.1051 §12; 1999 c.1051 §12a; 2003 c.528 §1; 2019 c.60 §3]