Wasco County District Attorney
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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Kara K Davis
(N)
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Travis J Marston
(N)
What are the three top challenges facing the District Attorney’s office, and how would you address them?
What qualities and experience make you the best candidate for District Attorney?
What alternatives to incarceration would you like to see available in your area?
Town Where You Live
The Dalles and Condon, Or
Your Experience/Qualifications
22 years as a lawyer, 21 years as a criminal lawyer in Oregon. Elected District Attorney of Gilliam County. Special Deputy District Attorney prosecuting sex crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse for Wasco County.
County
Wasco
Term
4 years
Term Expires
12/31/28
Mental health is easily the biggest challenge facing any district attorney in Oregon right now. Oregon ranks last in the nation for access to mental health and right now, in most counties, our local jails are our largest mental health provider. Through my current work with the Wasco County DA's office, I have been able to help establish a mental health court. We are also working closely with the Sheriff to build a resolution center that will assist people in acute mental distress.
Drugs are obviously another huge issue. They will become criminalized again in September. 3 of the 5 counties in our judicial district have been working on a deflection program to meet this need.
Funding! If I am going to fight these issues, I need the resources
I have over 20 years experience in the area of criminal law. All of it has been in Oregon. My opponent seems like a very nice man, but he has never practiced law in the State of Oregon in his life. You absolutely MUST know Oregon law, Oregon procedure, and Oregon sentencing to be a successful district attorney in Oregon.
I also have the management experience. When I lived in Pendleton, I managed an office of 11 attorneys. The Wasco County DA's office has 3.2 attorneys, including the elected district attorney. I have handled a much larger office and a much larger budget.
Finally, I am from here. This is my hometown. I have the connections with the local people and services both through work and through my personal life.
Specialty courts is a big one. Getting people into treatment and stable cuts down on future crime so much more than just a revolving door of jail sentences and no supervision.
We're working on creating a deflection program right now that would occur pre-charge and pre-arraignment. I am supportive of all statutorily available diversions and district attorney diversions as well.
I am a big fan of bifurcated sentences. Especially in cases where going to trial can be traumatic for my victim. Outcomes are never assured. I like to offer people the opportunity to avoid lengthy jail or prison sentences by having a long period of supervision with prison time hanging over their head and give them an opportunity to modify their behavior.
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