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)
503-365-0373
Town Where You Live
Salem, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
Lawyer practicing law for 30 years with a focus on civil litigation, including probate litigation, guardianships and conservatorships and trust administration and litigation.
I have been representing regular people for the last thirty years and helping them navigate through an increasingly complex legal system. For the last 20 years I have focused my practice on an area of the law that between now and 2040 will be exploding in complexity and the sheer number of cases- people litigating their parents estates. We need people on the bench who are intimately familiar with these to meet the need that will touch more people than any other in our legal system as the baby boomer generation passes it's wealth to the next generation.
Every circumstance and individual is unique, but frequently their crimes are not. The starting and ending point for sentencing decisions is what the law provides, but the purpose of having a judge make a sentencing decision rather than a machine is to recognize the individual circumstances that require either compassion or, sometimes, the most strict application of the law. The ability to actively listen to the individual's circumstance and situation, as well as the victim's position and the interests of the people of the State of Oregon and then balance them all within the law must be paramount.
First, I think that we need to address how the courts deal with conflict in probate cases and establish a mediation program so that families can work out family issues with the assistance of a mediator rather than trying the case. When the parties own the resolution that is almost always a better resolution than having a judge decide the issues and make a decision.
Second, we clearly need to address mental health issues for individuals in our community. Unfortunately, the solution to that problem, which is playing out in the criminal context but we could just as easily have the same fight on the civil side, involves the court, the legislature and county/municipal contributions and will require significant cooperation.
Contact Phone
503-763-0400
Campaign Phone (public)
503-763-0400
Town Where You Live
Salem
Your Experience/Qualifications
33 years attorney
County
Marion
I have extensive jury trial experience. As a trial lawyer for 33 years, I defend the constitutional and legal rights of Oregonians. My experience will serve me well which will protect the community as I understand how the court system operates. I have also handled: civil litigation, domestic relations disputes, debtor/creditor matters, delinquency/dependency juvenile cases, administrative law hearing, and appellate cases. Not only am I an attorney, I am also a small business owner.
I believe that justice is our job and we each have a role. We are in this together.
Public safety is my priority. I have lived in Marion County for over 36 years with my wife Jill where we raised our two daughters. This community should be safe for my family and yours.
The citizens of Marion County expect public safety and a common-sense approach to justice which is fair and unbiased.
As a judge, I will uphold the law.
Town Where You Live
Salem
Your Experience/Qualifications
Three years as a full time judge Pro Tem in Salem, and previously the Assistant Executive Director of the Public Defender of Marion County.
County
OR
Term
Six years
I have been a full-time Judge Pro Tem and Hearings Referee for the Marion County Circuit Court for more than three years. I have heard thousands of routine matters in that time, including criminal jury trials, small claims, landlord tenant matters, restraining orders, juvenile dependencies, delinquencies, and divorces. Prior to that, I was the Assistant Executive Director of the Public Defender of Marion County. I trained felony attorneys and handled everything from Murders to Misdemeanors. I am qualified and excited to help our community as a future Circuit Court Judge.
Every case is different. A judge must carefully listen to the attorneys, defendant, and victim(s) when weighing community safety, restoration, liberty, and justice. The court should consider creative solutions that might best satisfy all of the issues raised at sentencing. Ultimately, the court needs to provide a decisive and thoughtful conclusion at sentencing so all of the parties can move forward, knowing they were heard and the law was carefully applied to their case.
I support an ongoing dialogue about the use of technology in our courtrooms to better facilitate appearances and the presentation of evidence. I support dialogue with community partners on topical issues regarding how we can best apply resources to serve the people of Marion County.
Contact Phone
201-888-0074
Town Where You Live
Salem, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
Served as arbitrator in over 50 civil cases; represented individuals in over 650+ criminal cases; Attorney of record in over 950 civil matter state and federal courts; mediated over 1,000 cases; serves as a judge pro tempore for the City of Salem.
County
Marion
Term
Six years
Term Expires
01/2031
The circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction which hears any type of dispute. In my 23 years as an attorney, I've tried countless bench trials, tried over eight jury trials, settled many cases before trial and obtained results for my clients through motion practices. I've presided over 50 cases as an arbitrator and mediated over 1000 cases. I served as a Judge Pro Tempore at the City of Salem and conduct court business from arraignments, special motions, trials by affidavit, bench trials, jury trial and criminal sentencing. I am adept and making a record of findings of fact and conclusions of law both orally and in writing.
In sentencing one must weigh the seriousness of the offense, the rights of the victim(s), and public safety standards against the convicted person's rights and their willingness take accountability. A convicted person's acceptance of responsibility for their actions is important in crafting an appropriate sentence. Acknowledgment of any wrongdoing and a willingness to change speaks volumes as to whether an individual is a candidate for probation or alternatives to incarceration. If the person is not willing to accept responsibility for their poor decisions and the harm they have done to victims, their families, the community and themselves, then the community's interest for public safety takes priority.
I would support the directives of the presiding judge and the Marion County Trial Court Administrator. Three top priorities that require legislative fixes are 1. qualified and adequate indigent defense; 2. access to mental health restoration resources and services in criminal law, and civil law; and 3. access to court certified language interpreters for court proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and court annexed arbitration. These are not merely an administrative problem for the court. These reforms require legislative changes and support.
