Justice, Accountability, and Public Safety: Balancing Community Protection with Fair Trials
The Responsibility Behind the Work Working in criminal law for more than two decades has given me a clear understanding that justice is not a simple concept. It is not just about punishment, and it is not just about protecting rights. It is about finding a balance between accountability and fairness in every case. During […]
What Makes a Strong Criminal Defense Strategy: A Former Prosecutor’s Perspective
Seeing Defense Work Through a Different Lens After spending more than two decades as a prosecutor, I spent most of my early career focused on building cases for the state. My job was to evaluate evidence, work with investigators, and present facts in court in a way that met the burden of proof. When I […]
Inside the Major Crimes Team: Coordinating Complex Investigations in Serious Felony Cases
What the Major Crimes Team Really Does Working on a Major Crimes Team in a prosecutor’s office is one of the most demanding assignments in criminal law. During my years at the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, I spent a significant amount of time working alongside this team, and it shaped how I understand serious […]
The Evolution of Criminal Law in Oregon: What Has Changed in the Last 25 Years
Looking at Change Over Time Over the last 25 years working in Oregon’s criminal justice system, I have seen significant changes in how laws are written, how cases are prosecuted, and how the courts operate. Some changes have been procedural. Others have been deeply structural. When I began my career in 1998 as a Deputy […]