Tag Archives: Justice System

Who Decides Which Oregonians Are Sane Enough to Go on Trial?

In 2019, a man named Salvador Martinez-Romero stabbed four people during a meth-fueled crime spree in Beaverton. After his arrest, he was deemed psychologically unfit to stand trial, and sent to Oregon’s one psychiatric hospital, which kept Martinez-Romero for three years. Prosecutors argued Martinez-Romero was ready to face trial even though doctors admittedly couldn’t resolve […]
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Pandemic pushes Oregon’s public defender system to the brink

Oregon’s public defender system has shown cracks for years, but a post-pandemic glut of delayed cases has exposed shocking constitutional landmines impacting defendants and crime victims alike in a state with a national reputation for progressive social justice.An acute shortage of public defenders means that at any given time at least several hundred low-income criminal […]
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Editorial: Oregon justice system is out of balance

If you are charged with a crime, you deserve to have a lawyer helping you defend yourself. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor. A 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gideon v. Wainwright, guaranteed it. But in Oregon, it’s not happening. It’s a problem in other states, too. We focus on Oregon. Here […]
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Courts vs. COVID: judicial system caught in unprecedented balancing act

Over the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on virtually every aspect of society. The justice system has not been exempt, and has been forced to learn new ways to keep the wheels of justice turning in spite of many challenges. Source: Courts vs. COVID: judicial system caught in unprecedented balancing […]
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Opinion: A justice system that’s safe and accessible for all

Oregon’s justice system should be safe and accessible for all. But aggressive and frightening arrests by federal immigration agents in and around our courthouses are causing crime victims, witnesses and others to fear coming to court. Source: Opinion: A justice system that’s safe and accessible for all – oregonlive.com

Opinion: Courts, legislators dismissing victims’ rights in favor of criminals

My 12-year-old daughter, Lisa, was murdered on Oct. 21, 1992 in Lake Oswego. As a member of her immediate family, I am a crime victim under Oregon law and the Oregon constitution. I have been involved in the crime victims rights movement for more than 25 years as an advocate and activist. Together, with the […]
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Opinion: Oregon courts need full funding

Virtually all of the issues that are state priorities land in court in some form or another. Legislators should help ensure that courts can provide the expertise, help and resolution that people need by fully funding the judicial system. Source: Opinion: Oregon courts need full funding – oregonlive.com

Oregon bills would create opportunities for youth in justice system

When Oregonians approved Measure 11 in 1994 it was the height of the tough-on-crime era. We created harsh penalties, causing youth as young as 15 to be charged and sentenced as adults. Since then, the Supreme Court has acknowledged the difference in youth brain development and culpability in several recent decisions that strike down extreme […]
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Opinion: Time to raise the bar for district attorneys

District attorneys and their prosecutors are the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. How they go about their job can fundamentally impact people’s lives for better or for worse. DAs and their staff are making choices on a daily basis about who they charge, the severity and number of charges, who gets access […]
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Opinion: Oregon shouldn’t prop up the exploitive bail bonds industry

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This simple ethical principle underscores the tremendous power and impact of our actions. But what does the Golden Rule look like when you are investing billions of dollars? Source: Opinion: Oregon shouldn’t prop up the exploitive bail bonds industry | oregonlive.com