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Kristyna Wentz-Graff/OPBThe number of Oregonians without counsel has reached an all-time high. Many fear the current crisis is eroding the trust and credibility of the state鈥檚 justice system. -
Bryce Dole/OPBThe state鈥檚 high court ruled Gov. Tina Kotek didn鈥檛 have the power to revoke a commutation after a person completed their sentence. The justices wrote that Terri Lee Brown鈥檚 鈥渋mprisonment is unlawful.鈥� Kotek revoked Brown鈥檚 commutation last year.
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The proposal would set up an hourly payment system and put public defenders on staff to bolster their ranks to represent the hundreds of people without legal representation -
A Friday opinion by the Oregon Supreme Court offers clarity for people convicted in trials where not everyone on the jury agreed the convicted person was guilty. -
When Kate Brown leaves office, she will have appointed every justice on the state鈥檚 highest court. She also announced other judicial appointments Wednesday. -
The Oregon Supreme Court denied a state Department of Justice petition asking the court to intervene and throw out a lower court鈥檚 temporary restraining order blocking the law from taking effect. -
Jessica Kampfe, who heads a public defense nonprofit in Portland, would take over a state agency that has left hundreds without attorneys -
Stephen Singer, who until August was the executive director of the Office of Public Defense Services, says his firing violated state laws designed to protect whistleblowers and charged the head of the Oregon Supreme Court with violating her authority under state law. -
The denial affirms a lower court decision saying the "greatest permanent value" of Oregon forests is more than just timber revenue. -
Steve Singer had led the Office of Public Defense Services since January. Oregon Chief Justice Martha Walters wanted him out 鈥� and ensured that happened with a rejiggered commission.
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Oregon鈥檚 public defense system is under severe strain and Chief Justice Martha Walters wrote that the 鈥渘eed for change is too urgent鈥� to delay -
鈥淭he plan I am seeking is one that proposes immediate steps that will enable [the Public Defense Services Commission] to fulfill its obligation to provide lawyers for those who have a constitutional right to representation,鈥� Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha Walters wrote.
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Chief Justice Martha Walters, who leads the state鈥檚 judicial branch, asked legislative leaders and Gov. Kate Brown in a letter Tuesday to help plan a summit to find solutions for public defense and public safety. -
Justices have declined to hear a challenge that might have paved the way for a measure on the November ballot.
