There are 173 Circuit Court Judges in Oregon, grouped into 27 judicial districts. The Circuit Courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction. In most counties they have jurisdiction in juvenile cases, though only for termination of parental rights cases in Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, and Wheeler counties, where the County Court is responsible for other juvenile cases. The Circuit Courts also exercise jurisdiction in probate, adoptions, guardianship, and conservatorship cases in all counties except Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Sherman, and Wheeler. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered voters, and residents of Oregon for at least 3 years before filing for candidacy; for at least 1 year they must have resided or had a principal residence in the judicial district or an adjacent one; and they must be members of the Oregon state bar at time of election. They may not be older than 75 years.Term: 6 years. This position is nonpartisan. Salary: $163, 476.
Campaign Phone (public)
541-201-8121
Town Where You Live
La Grande, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
Senior Deputy District Attorney - Union County District Attorney, 2008-2015. Solo practice handling public defense, privately retained criminal matters, and general civil caseload 2015-Present.
County
Union/Wallowa
Term
6 year
Term Expires
2031
I am the only candidate who has been a prosecutor, a public defense attorney, and worked on our drug treatment court as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in Union and Wallowa County for the last 15 years. I am uniquely qualified to navigate the upcoming repeal of Measure 110 and the huge influx of criminal cases that comes along with it.
This issue is especially pressing because my opponent has been disqualified on all criminal cases filed by the District Attorneys of Union and Wallowa County for the last 4 years. The new criminal cases are going to likely add thousands of hearings to the docket that only one of our two judges can hear, causing an overburdened system due to this issue to tip past the breaking point.
Judicial candidates cannot make commitments on future decisions. However, sentencing is always going to be guided by multiple considerations. This includes sentencing guidelines for felonies. For lower misdemeanor crimes, local community norms are a major factor so defendants are treated equally and I am familiar with those as an attorney who has worked both sides of these cases for 15 years.
Victim input through exercise of their constitutional rights is essential as well, and must be given appropriate weight in any decision by a judge.
Ultimately sentencing needs to be decided on the basis of public safety, and providing accountability that is likely to result in a defendant to make the changes so they do not come back into the system.
The first and foremost reform must be dealing with the current situation where we have one judge who cannot hear criminal cases or any others handled by our two District Attorneys. This cannot be overstated as to the impact it is having.
With the repeal of Measure 110 coming this year, there is also significant opportunity for leadership from the judiciary in helping stakeholders develop the local programs, called deflection programs, that will be developed under that law. (HB 4002) Because of my experience handling all sides of these cases and working in our treatment court program in our community I believe I am the best candidate to take that role.
Contact Phone
541-910-4833
Campaign Phone (public)
541-910-4833
Town Where You Live
La Grande
Your Experience/Qualifications
I practiced law for 22 years before being elected circuit court judge in 2018. I had a general law practice focused on civil and criminal litigation. I practiced in State Circuit Courts, Federal District Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Oregon Supreme Court. I was sworn in as Circuit Court Judge for the 10th Judicial District in January 2019. As a Circuit Court Judge I handle all types of cases.
County
Union and Wallowa
Term
6 year
Term Expires
2030
When I first ran for judge in 2018, I had 22 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation in state court, federal court, the Oregon court of appeals and the Oregon supreme court. I have now been a circuit court judge for over 5 years and handle all types of criminal and civil cases. I have a record of making fair and legally correct decisions. I have never been appealed by the prosecution. Of the cases which have been appealed, the court of appeals has affirmed all of my decisions save one, where I gave a defendant too much community service. I have a calm and patient judicial demeanor.
I first consider the nature of the crime and how it is classified on the Oregon Sentencing Guidelines. Then I hear from both prosecution and defense counsel regarding any aggravating and mitigating circumstances. If the crime involves a victim, I hear from the victim, to make certain the victim's rights are protected. Finally, I hear from the defendant so that he or she is able to tell me all I need to consider regarding the circumstances of the criminal act and the defendant's personal history.
We need to provide more assistance to people who are unable to afford an attorney. We can do this by working with the state and local bar to have an attorney available for a modest fee on days when pro se litigants are before the court to provide some legal advice. The attorney could explain the legal procedures and help the pro se litigants fill out forms that must be filed with the court. It would also be helpful to landlords and tenants to have a mediator present while the residential eviction docket is being heard. The mediator could meet with the landlord and tenant to try to settle the matter before trial. This would help pro se litigants understand the process, reduce the trauma of a court appearance, and lead to more settlements.
