News & Resources
Oregon Legislators Are Working to Improve Oregon’s Expungement Law
Oregon’s Expungement Law (ORS 137.225) provides a vehicle for people to erase convictions for certain felonies and misdemeanors, as well as arrests in cases that do not result in convictions. Our law firm frequently assists clients in seeking expungement. The expungement law has been amended many times over the last several decades. At times,… Read More »
Facial Recognition Software Can Lead to Injustice
In February of 2019, Nijeer Parks, 31-years-old at the time, was sent to a corrections center in New Jersey due to a false facial recognition match placing him at a grocery store at the time of a crime. Mr Parks was accused of shoplifting candy, hitting a police officer’s vehicle, and nearly driving into… Read More »
Former West Linn Cop Finally Gets Consequences for His Role in Racist Action Against Black Citizen
It has taken 4 long years, but former West Linn police lieutenant Michael Stradley has finally gotten consequences for his role in the racially motivated prosecution of Michael Fesser, who was falsely charged with a crime in retaliation for making a complaint of racial discrimination against his politically connected employer. At long last, Stradley… Read More »
Oregon Legislature is Moving Forward on Police Reform Bills
Following the recent trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who murdered George Floyd, Congress has been moving forward to pass police reform bills in order to decrease cases of police brutality and prevent future unnecessary deaths. Likewise, the Oregon House of Representatives approved and passed a package of nine bills… Read More »
Opinion: Returning to Portland From Prison With a Commitment to Make Amends
After more than 17 years in prison for killing two people in a drunk-driving crash, the author will be returning to Portland. Certified as a substance abuse counselor, he hopes to help others avoid making the same mistake he did. Dave Killen / Staff The Oregonian By Guest Columnist | The Oregonian Martin Lockett… Read More »
Oregon Legislators Are Taking Action to Expose Police Officers Who Engage in Misconduct
Oregon lawmakers are taking big steps towards a bill that will open police records to the public. Oregon currently continues to be one of the nine states that withholds police discipline records from the public, preventing citizens from accessing information about officers who do wrong. Oregon law enforcement has been criticized for how officers… Read More »
Three Men Freed After Decades of Being Incarcerated as a Result of Misconduct by the Prosecution
After 24 years of wrongful incarceration, Gary Johnson, 46, Rohan Bolt, 59, and George Bell, 44, were released from New York State’s Green Haven Correctional Facility after being unfairly convicted of a double murder in Queens during the 90’s. In December of 1996, a failed armed robbery resulted in the murders of a store… Read More »
Black Legislators Propose Significant Reforms to Oregon Laws
Black Representatives are proposing significant reforms to Oregon law that are designed to address racial disparities in how our State is policed. These include House Bill 2002, which would limit future driving arrests, end traffic stops for vehicle infractions, and much more. Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man was recently murdered by police due… Read More »
Oregon House of Representatives Passes Legislation That Will Ban Hairstyle Discrimination
The Oregon state House successfully passed a bill that officially bans hairstyle discrimination within workplaces and public schools. House Bill 2935, now heading to the state Senate, will prohibit schools and employers from discriminating against cultural hairstyles based on someone’s race, such as twists, braids and locs. This bill won by a 58-0 vote… Read More »
US Supreme Court is at a Critical Juncture With Potential Retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer
Liberals warn of future dangers for the Democratic Senate if Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, 82, refuses to step down from his position. Breyer is currently the oldest member of the court, raising questions of potential issues that could leave detrimental effects on Democratic Senate control. President Joe Biden has stated that he would… Read More »
