The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon just launched a major, multi-year campaign to reform our state’s criminal justice system. We want to improve the system so it is more fair, just and effective. But instead of focusing on police departments, sheriffs’ deputies or judges, we’re focusing on 36 individuals who most Oregon voters know
A Look at the Best New Laws Passed by the Legislature This Year by Doug Brown Plenty of people limped away from this year’s regular legislative session feeling bitter. Tenants’ rights advocates saw their bid for rent control perish. Public-sector unions failed to win higher taxes on corporations. And air quality advocates lost a
By Guest Columnist By Irene Kalonji Like any mother, I had worries and dreams for my children. Will they get a good job? Will they find love? Will I become a grandmother? Like any mother of black sons, I also worried about their safety with police. How could I not when day after day there
Morrow County Courthouse. HEPPNER, Oregon – The Oregon Legislature failed last session in its attempt to require audio recordings of all grand jury proceedings. The Oregon District Attorneys Association rallied against the measure. Now Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson said that he finds himself fighting the same measure, now called Senate Bill 496. “It’s
Updated on March 31, 2016 at 8:11 PM Posted on March 31, 2016 at 7:57 PM Washington County Circuit Court is located in downtown Hillsboro. (Oregonian file photo) By Rebecca Woolington [email protected] The Oregonian/OregonLive Four ethics complaints have been filed against a Washington County prosecutor who wrote a Facebook post earlier this month that appeared
A Portland activist is facing a felony robbery charge for briefly snatching the glasses worn by a man who instigated a scuffle during a protest outside of the Portland Building last week. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) arrested Philip “Standard” Schaefer, 45, on Sunday morning, four days after the protest regarding the Portland police killing
Red Justice in a Blue State Oregon has one of the worst criminal justice systems in the country. These prosecutors are largely to blame. Slate Magazine Robert J. Smith Here’s a riddle: What state incarcerates a higher percentage of its black population than Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana? I’ll bet you didn’t guess Oregon. Indeed, the Beaver
Even When Juries Can’t Agree, Convictions Are Still Possible In Oregon by Conrad Wilson | Dec. 12, 2016 7:30 p.m. | Updated: Dec. 13, 2016 9:31 a.m. On July 5, in a Multnomah County courtroom, prosecutors told 12 jurors that Olan Williams was guilty of two counts of first-degree sodomy. After a few days of testimony
Woman jailed as trial witness says she is being ‘punished’ HILLSBORO — Brandy Lee Buckmaster is among 56 women filling two stories of cells in the female general population unit at the Washington County Jail in Hillsboro. From her second-floor window, she can see the corrections deputies come and go. She’s been there for 38
A Former Portland Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Keaton Otis Is Now a Prosecutor The Multnomah County District Attorney stands by the hiring of Cody Berne, which has outraged protesters of police violence. Willamette Week By Johanna Bernhard | Published September 13, 2016 Updated October 3, 2016 Last month, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office