Tag Archives: Oregon Courts

Oregon’s pioneering drug decriminalization effort faces rollback

Oregon lawmakers appear poised to roll back the state’s drug decriminalization measure, which was hailed as a pioneering approach to addiction but faces intense backlash as communities grapple with surges in fentanyl use and overdoses. The Oregon House of Representatives on Thursday voted 51-7 to again make possession of a minor amount of drugs a […]
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Judge to decide if Marion County can sue Oregon State Hospital

Marion County asked a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge Wednesday to allow a lawsuit against the Oregon State Hospital and Oregon Health Authority to proceed for allegedly failing to fund, build and staff enough beds for individuals who need inpatient behavioral health restoration services. Marion County filed its lawsuit the day after a federal judge […]
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Oregon Measure 114 ruling on hold pending a new hearing to challenge it 

A state court ruling against Oregon’s gun control policy, Measure 114, is getting another hearing before a final ruling is issued in the matter to consider Source: Oregon Measure 114 ruling on hold pending a new hearing to challenge it | Regional | kdrv.com

Oregon wants people to like their courts a little more

The phrase “I have jury duty” is seldom preceded by “yay!” or “isn’t it great?” And that alone should tell you something about most people’s relationship to the court system: they’d rather not have much interaction with it. The courts of the state of Oregon are determined to change that. The Oregon Judicial Department is […]
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Mental Health Matters and restorative justice for the mentally ill

It’s become obvious in recent years that the lack of mental health facilities results in people with mental health needs ending up in jail, where opportunities for treatment are spotty at best. Some court systems provide alternatives to the standard criminal justice system, including in Jackson County. For adults facing criminal charges that occurred due […]
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Oregon court continues to uphold Tribal Water Rights

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Klamath County Circuit Court Judge pro tem Stephen K. Bushong issued an opinion once again affirming the Klamath Tribes’ water and treaty rights. The Court rejected arguments that a prior ruling had wiped away a prior determination quantifying those water rights. “The court did not then – and does not […]
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Constitutional law scholar on likely challenge to Oregon walkout measure – OPB’s Think Out Loud

More than 100 bills have been stuck in the Oregon state Senate after Republican senators staged a walkout that began May 3. The political tactic is a strategy to block Democratic legislation on abortion rights, transgender care and gun safety. High profile walkouts that grind business to a halt was exactly what Ballot Measure 113 […]
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Some Grant County residents organize against Greater Idaho movement – OPB’s Think Out Loud

Last month, the Grant County Court held the first of three scheduled conversations about the idea of becoming part of Idaho. The conversations are required by a ballot measure passed two years ago with 62% of the vote. Some residents came to the meeting dressed in matching green T-shirts that read “Just Say No to […]
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After session ends, Oregon senators will face a new battle – in the courts

Republicans plan to challenge the constitutional amendment in court that voters approved last year to prevent walkouts from halting legislative work. The GOP-led Senate walkout is the first round of a fight that likely will continue in court when the session concludes by June 25. The political futures of senators who have racked up 10 […]
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OUR VIEW: No winners found as case backlog crisis plays out at courthouse

The courtroom drama that took place last week in Medford wasn’t designed to render a verdict. Nonetheless, what emerged was a pointed and poignant sense that Oregon’s legal system itself was on trial — and found guilty. “It’s just plain and simple a failure,” Judge Benjamin Bloom said during a hearing at the Jackson County […]
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