An Oregon District Attorney has dual functions, as prosecuting attorney and law officer of the state and counties. District Attorneys serve as the public prosecutor, represent the state in criminal proceedings, and initiate proceedings for punishable offenses. They enforce child support orders, represent the state in juvenile matters, and undertake inquests into the cause and manner of certain deaths. Though elected by county voters, the District Attorney is a state officer whose salary is paid by the state, sometimes receiving a supplementary stipend from the county. Salaries range from $131,000 to $148,000. In most cases, a District Attorney is prohibited from privately practicing law. District Attorneys must be U.S. citizens, registered voters, and residents of the state. They must have been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Oregon.Term: 4 years. The position is nonpartisan.
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Contact Phone
5419919316
Campaign Phone (public)
5419919316
Town Where You Live
Eugene
Your Experience/Qualifications
Chief Deputy District Attorney, prosecutor since 2004
County
Lane County
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
First, the District Attorney’s Office must work to enhance transparency by releasing investigative records, creating a public dashboard to track cases and decisions, and speak directly to the community and victims about the decisions being made and the reasons for those decisions.
Second, we must create civil alternatives to criminal prosecution of mentally ill citizens. I will use my relationship with legislators to promote liberalized standards for civil commitments and assisted outpatient treatment laws.
Third, increased staffing. Larger demands on attorney time due to the proliferation of video surveillance and legislative obligations means the Office cannot process the more than 5,000 law enforcement referrals with 24 attorneys.
A prosecutor since 2004 and current Chief Deputy, I have prosecuted nearly every type of crime, including murders, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. I was an adjunct instructor for UO School of Law, Uniform Trial Court Rules Committee member, Lane County Sexual Assault Task force member, a current member of the Board of Directors for Kids First Child Advocacy Center. I was a volunteer youth football coach for many years. I have a deep understanding of not only adult criminal prosecution, but juvenile prosecution, child support enforcement and death investigations. As Chief Deputy, I am intimately involved in managing the Office’s nearly $11 million dollar budget. I also have well established relationships with all community partners.
Beyond my strong support for Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court and the 416 Program, I drafted and operate the Lane County Discretionary Resentencing Program (under Senate Bill 819). The Lane County Discretionary Resentencing program, which allows for reductions of sentences and dismissals of non-expungable offenses, has become a model for Oregon. I hope to see this program continued and expanded in the future.
With the recent recriminalization of drug possession, it will be essential that Lane County implement effective deflection and diversionary programs to ensure we offer more drug treatment to addicts without simply returning to a war on drugs. I have been intimately involved in the planning for these programs.
