Category Archives: Criminal Law – Tag
Unjust Provision in Oregon’s State Constitution for Nonunanimous Guilty Verdicts Finally Overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court
The State of Oregon was the last state in the nation to allow nonunanimous jury verdicts in felony prosecutions. That meant all 12 jurors did not have to agree on the guilt of the accused and allowed nonunanimous criminal convictions when as many as two jurors believed the defendant was innocent. Since 1933, this antiquated provision… Read More »
Pendulum Is Finally Swinging Back On Excessive Prosecution Of Juveniles In Oregon
In Oregon, for over twenty-five years prosecutors have had sole discretion in trying juvenile offenders as adults in court. This was dictated by Ballot Measure 11. However, the Oregon Legislature has since pushed back on sending adolescents to adult prisons and now enables many of them to remain in the juvenile court system, with… Read More »
Controversy in Oregon Regarding the Crime of Interfering With a Peace Officer
In 1997, the Oregon Legislature created the crime of INERFERING WITH A PEACE OFFICER, which is codified in ORS 162.247. The statute makes it a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $6250, for a person to intentionally act in a manner that prevents, or attempts… Read More »
United States Government Resumes Imposition of the Death Penalty After a Pause of 17 Years
On July 14th, 47 year old Daniel Lewis Lee, a former white supremacist was put to death by lethal injection in Indiana. Lee’s fate was ultimately decided due to a 5-to-4 vote within the Supreme Court, and is being criticized by the public for how rushed his capital punishment was handled. Lee was pronounced… Read More »
America Is Reeling From The Shock And Disgust At Witnessing The Murder Of George Floyd At The Hands Of The Police
For too long, police officers who assault and murder people of color have been given a pass by our legal system. Prosecutors are extremely reluctant to prosecute, and jurors have historically been hesitant to convict. Police are accorded preferential treatment in our legal system. When a cop-related shooting occurs, the police are afforded a… Read More »
Evaluating Your Legal Options Inside and Outside the Courtroom
Since 1982, our Oregon criminal defense attorneys have focused on protecting the rights of our clients by exploring all potential avenues that could lead to a successful outcome — inside and outside the courtroom — using an important guiding principle: Each client we design legal solutions for is unique. While our lengthy legal careers… Read More »
What Should I Look for When Hiring A Criminal Defense Lawyer in Oregon?
Getting arrested and processed by law enforcement, spending the night in jail, missing work, and having an extended amount of time to agonize over the unknown is both physically and emotionally exhausting. What is going to happen to me? Can I face these charges alone? Should I hire a criminal defense attorney? If you… Read More »
Many criminal cases in Oregon focus on DNA evidence
In Oregon, police rely on DNA evidence to solve many crimes, including non-violent property crimes. Criminal charges rely heavily on evidence and more cases in Oregon involve using DNA evidence to get convictions. DNA testing laws have come under fire across the country for collecting and storing DNA from people arrested for criminal offenses…. Read More »
Heroin found on Oregon Man leads to More Criminal Charges
Police recently seized several weapons from a Portland home after allegedly finding heroin on one of the residents. The search and seizure resulted in the arrest of two individuals on multiple drug and weapons charges. Police report finding “arsenal” of weapons in man’s Portland area home Police began investigating two individuals approximately a month… Read More »
Oregon reconsiders mandatory minimum sentences for criminal charges
Aggressive Criminal Defense in Oregon Many people are overwhelmed after being charged with a criminal offense. They trust the advice of their friends and family who say “you want an aggressive lawyer.” You want someone who will keep you out of jail, help you avoid fines and keep your record clean. If you or… Read More »
