Judge Moawad is excited for the opening of the new courthouse and to see how the new space will allow the court to achieve better efficiency and results, particularly in high-volume courts. Michael Yates, Court Liaison Committee. His office also works closely with the court on treatment courts for drug and alcohol addicts and people suffering from mental illness. "Quite frankly," she recalls. "People are recognizing more and more the power and influence that DAs have.". He strives to give litigants a fair chance to be heard, treat them with dignity and see their humanity. The new Multnomah County Courthouse on SW 1st Ave opened October 2020. Multnomah Bar Association LSAT Preparation Course Scholarship - Apply Now! In 2019, Governor Kate Brown appointed him to the Multnomah County Circuit Court. of Senior Judge Jean Kerr Maurer, who administered Judge Moawads oath of office, was always impressed by Judge Moawads skills as a trial lawyer, her organizational ability, and her work ethic. "I didn't know why he was there.". She remarked that both are customer service roles, and a judges goal is to ensure that lawyers and litigants who leave a courtroom feel that they have been heard and listened to. In August, Angela Franco Lucero '03 was appointed to the Multnomah County Circuit Court by Governor Kate Brown '85. media While juvenile incarceration rates have dropped dramatically over the past decade, most juvenile justice systems are not operating as effectively as possible. Matarazzo says she hopes to find some kind of compromise with Underhill so she can go back to trying criminal cases. Judges must be able to be straightforward with their role. That kind of blanket rejection is extremely rare. Although Matarazzo says Underhill's affidavit caught her by surprise, she probably should have seen it coming. There, she began to develop her particular style and approach to criminal law practice. This year, they increased the pace of reform, defelonizing personal possession of heroin and methand, in another blow to prosecutors, requiring the audio recording of all grand jury sessions. They are very stressed out. All 13 other races had just one candidate, the incumbent. Get started with the examples above. Earlier this year, Underhill moved to defelonize the possession of minor amounts of hard drugs, well before other Oregon counties. Each year, millions of people return to their communities from jail or prison. Learn Survivors of violent crime endure financial, social, mental, and physical pain and suffering, which greatly reduces quality of life. Work is like a firehose; you cant manage everything. Yet people with juvenile and criminal recordsespecially Black peoplesuffer from an alarmingly high and stubborn unemployment rate. Such sentences sometimes cost people their jobs and their ability to pay for DISP court-ordered treatment. She describes civil law as fascinating and looks forward to being assigned more civil trials and motions in the future. Judge Moawad was asked in 2013 if she had any interest in returning to Salem with the governors office. maternal When someone says you cannot be fair and impartial, for a judge, that strikes the essence of what it means to be a judge. Lately, reform advocates like Matarazzo, an outspoken critic of mandatory minimum sentences that give prosecutors enormous power, have gained ground. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. It draws from all the areas of law and you have to know about a lot of different things. But while her candidacy was pending, Matarazzo allowed a nine-time DUII offender to enter DISP. I tried to explain the rules to the man myself, but he was very upset. It was a regular Friday afternoon at the Multnomah County Courthouse in the spring of 2018. When she practiced, about 75 percent were self-represented. decade "Obviously, when he says, 'We won't appear before you,' that's not a trivial act," Jones says. I don't hurt people. Judith Matarazzo is one of 38 judges for the Multnomah County Circuit Court. These visits gave Judge Waller detailed insight into what treatment was being offeredas well as what was lackingand helped her more clearly envision what an ideal local system might look like. Judge Baggio appreciates and expects civility and preparedness from those who appear before her. Kate Brown, who appointed Torres in spring as a family law judge in Multnomah County Circuit Court, called her smart, funny, fair and fearless. On Aug. 27, the ACLU of Oregon launched an advocacy campaign that seeks to restrict the authority of the state's district attorneys, calling them "the most powerful people in the criminal justice system." and As a child, Brown recalled witnessing her single mother struggle to raise her and her sister on her own. From 2013 until her appointment to the bench, Judge Moawad served as the Governors Public Safety Policy Advisor, providing continuity in the role when Governor Brown assumed office. The judges and staff of the Multnomah County Circuit Court make the following pledge to each litigant, defendant, victim, witness, juror and person involved in a court proceeding: We will listen to you. An African American man was at the family law counter trying to get a restraining order. Underhill's office declined to say, but she is the only judge he has chosen to remove from all criminal and civil cases involving the state since taking office. "This imbalance gives DAs and prosecutors enormous control.". Center, "I needed a change," she says. Lawyers have an ethical obligation to protect their clients interests in the event of lawyer death, disability, or incapacity. The Professional Liability Fund has a great handbook (with forms) to help you with that process: Planning Ahead: A Guide to Protecting Your Clients Interests in the Event of Your Disability or Death, which is available at www.bit.ly/osbplanning-ahead. Does that mean he thinks Matarazzo is the least qualified member on the Multnomah County bench? "I'm 58 years old," she says. "We are seeing some shift that's happening at the Legislature," says the ACLU's Rogers. On that one Friday in the Spring of 2018, I experienced first-hand how Judge Patricia McGuire uses her unique perspective in service to the community as a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge. Matarazzo and other judges working on the DISP court saw the mandatory sentence as a barrier to getting defendants into the treatment court. She worked for an architect as a graphic designer and was able to read blueprints. Underhill ran unopposed in 2012 and 2016. Maybe slower than Id like, but were moving. General information: 971.274.0500 Jury service Judges Civil Criminal Family Parking Small Claims Small Estate Traffic OJD Courts ePay, online payment system She has been a judge for over two years, is the ninth African American to serve as a judge in Oregon and is the fourth African American woman judge when she was appointed by Governor Brown. One of the things that Judge Anna Brown has said and that I have taken to heart is that you need to make sure that you take time for yourself. Early returns. Although he's served for a far shorter period than many Oregon DAs, Underhill has earned his peers' respect. research, from Matarazzo had a lot on her mind. St. Court records are maintained by theMultnomah County Circuit Court Records Department. Deputy district attorneys met with Matarazzo in 2015, and Underhill sent her a letter to express their concerns that she had been holding hearings without a prosecutor present, which they said violated judicial ethics. Mr. Gul filed a pro se petition for habeas review of his detention at the US military base in Cuba. It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Youve got to be able to think on your feet. More Newsroom Stories Summer 2023 Courses Now Available As a judge, its a challenge he happily faces every day. Several of the judges were in a meeting away from the building, including my boss. Multnomah County Courthouse for The man at the counter was not persuaded. At this second pause in her professional career, she wondered what she would do next. Judicial applicants for a Multnomah County Circuit Court vacancy are required to submit the "MBA Application for Judicial Vacancy" to the MBA Judicial Screening Committee and participate in the MBA's judicial screening process. Telephone customer service available. and I don't destroy things. Justice & Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative, Justice Reinvestment Initiative in Oregon, National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts Response to Mental Illness, Justice Reinvestment in Action: Oregon Invests $10 Million Locally to Improve Criminal Justice, Behavioral Health Outcomes, How One Psychiatrist is Helping People in the Justice System with a Free, Online Resource, Court Case Processing Learning Collaborative: Improving Caseflow Management for Defendants with Behavioral Health Needs, Just and Well: Rethinking How States Approach Competency to Stand Trial, Frequently Asked Questions: A Look into Court-Based Behavioral Health Diversion Interventions, From Treatment Courts to the Supreme Court: Q&A with Three State Supreme Court Justices, Congress Approves the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act, President Biden Signs Spending Bill Funding Key Criminal Justice Programs, Nominations Are Open for the 2023 Judge Stephen S. Goss Memorial Awards. All rights reserved (About Us). Multnomah County voters chose Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian Brown in a competitive circuit court race in which she garnered 57% of the vote over opponent Rima Ghandour. Since the Underhill memo in June, Matarazzo has not been allowed to take on any criminal cases, which make up the majority of the work in the Multnomah County Courthouse. He says he's become a different person. While in Salem, Judge Moawad also broadened her experience with public safety agencies and unexpectedly spent much of her time in that role marshalling the states responses and issuance of conflagration declarations in six consecutive summers of significant wildfires. 495 NE Beech Ave., Gresham OR 97030, Open. Our team works with states and local communities to develop cross-system solutions that help connect people in the justice system with the permanent housing and the supportive services they need. They include Judge Josephine Mooney in Lane County, Judge Cameron Wogan in Klamath County, and Judge James Fun in Washington County. The second year has concluded. We'll send you a newsletter with what you need to know every week. She currently serves on the board of Lincoln Youth Football. "That's the balance that's in the court system," Neely says. The man started crying out of frustration and fear, but he was still angry, too. Some criminal justice reform advocates worry that even as lawmakers seek to rebalance the criminal justice system, the power of affidavits could curtail the independence of the judiciary. University. It's not just Rodthere are a handful of judges who have been affidavited around the state. In 2012, he moved to Portland, where his wife is from, to raise their children closer to family. Telephone and online services available. Longtime Portland criminal defense attorney Larry Matasar rented her an office in the American Bank Building, where she initially worked in a suite alongside Matasar, Dennis Balske, Stephen Brischetto, James Lange, Richard Maizels, and author Phillip Margolin, all of whom provided a wide array of expertise and a collegial environment. Waud says he graduated from DISP in January 2014, two years early. Multnomah County Circuit Court . "It gives the perception that the district attorney and justice are the same.". Mr. Matasar served as a mentor in private practice and was her sounding board for ideas. Limited affordable housing options, coupled with policy barriers and stigmas associated with a criminal record, present significant challenges, particularly for people with behavioral health needs. The first was Hon. Elections for the Multnomah County Circuit Court (Oregons fourth judicial district) were unusually dynamic. All Rights Reserved. She continued to represent a wide variety of clients, and she remained committed to not only to defending her clients against criminal charges but continuing to advocate for them in such a way as to provide support should they be ready to move beyond their pasts and on to more stable lives. Judge Alexander's unique perspective - as a criminal prosecutor, in-house counsel, and private practice civil litigator . Judge Alexander has spent many hours giving back to the community: as a board member of the Classroom Law Project, a mock trial coach at Jefferson High School and as a volunteer for local nonprofits. from The work had lifelong impacts on her as a person and as a lawyer. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Judge Alexanders unique perspective - as a criminal prosecutor, in-house counsel, and private practice civil litigator - affords him the opportunity to make a daily impact on those who appear in his courtroom. Assessment and Referral Center |503-988-3081, Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program (MCJRP), Assessment & Evaluation residential program, Court and Community Supervision Services, Victim and Survivor Services (503-988-7606). Despite Marquis' assessment, Underhill leads an office that reformers say views some judgesand Matarazzo in particularas too soft on criminals. People will come into her courtroom need in an immediate danger order. Our team works collaboratively with jurisdictions to understand the experiences and effects of victimization, increase access to victim services, and improve systemic responses through restitution and victim compensation programs. To allow time for her careful review she encourages attorneys to submit briefings as early as possible. Prosecutors and defense attorneys sometimes make such requests. Our team works with states and local communities to improve responses for people with mental health needs in the criminal justice system. These rules supplement the Uniform Trial court Rules (UTCRs). Weekend Lobby Hours Change at Inverness Jail Effective February 4. Multnomah County is the only county in Oregon with a court for repeat DUII offenders. That was Matarazzo's hope when she went on the bench. After this initial glimpse into politics and policymaking, Judge Moawad returned to her former role and went on to handle nearly every type of criminal case, including the prosecution of significant child sex abuse cases. and An official website of the State of Oregon . The Multnomah County Circuit Court, which composes the 4th Judicial District of the Oregon Circuit Court system, is the general jurisdiction trial court of Multnomah County, Oregon. "It strikes at who you are. joining It's a philosophical disagreement over what role judges should play, who should be behind bars and for how longand how the vast sums of money allocated to public safety should be spent. Underhill employs 81 prosecutors and has an annual budget of $32.9 million. Judge McGuire recalls presenting her papers to Judge Elizabeth Welch, who sent her back home to make corrections. Judge McGuire acknowledges the momentous nature of her appointment. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Her focus was on being a general litigator and she worked on construction, anti-trust, employment, RICO, contract, and First Amendment licensing. Use Case Companion to look up an offender, 2023 | Multnomah County General Information Line: 503-823-4000, Property Records (including tax statements), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Family law is the most interesting law you can practice. I realized that we needed to build up our menu of what is available for people in the community and use the right level of support, she said. I was so completely absorbed. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. One of her clients, who she represented along with Assistant Federal Public Defender Ruben L. Iniquez, was Nazar Chaman Gul, imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay Prison since 2003. Procedural justice is an integral part of every area of the courthouse. There, she met and worked alongside local elected officials and attorneys hired to advance several campaigns. The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation have partnered to highlight leaders working to address mental health needs among people in the criminal justice system through innovative practices and programs. New But one of Matarazzo's colleagues says that was insufficient warning. an And shortly after Underhill announced the impending memo removing her from all criminal cases, she lost the vote for Multnomah County presiding judge to her colleague Stephen Bushong. That court gives judges greater discretion than any other specialty court to determine which offenders are fit to enter DISP to receive treatment rather than jail time. Judge Moawad managed the governors offices response to emergency incidents, including the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College, and the Malheur Wildlife Refuge occupation. Circuit court of Multnomah County, Oregon, "Multnomah County Unveils Spacious New Courthouse", "Multnomah County finds buyer for downtown courthouse", "Prosecutors' Decision to Cripple a Judge's Career Echoes a Larger Battle Over Criminal Justice Reform in Oregon", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Multnomah_County_Circuit_Court&oldid=1121142374, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Multnomah County Courthouse (Central Courthouse), located at 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, Juvenile Justice Center, 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland, East County Courthouse, 18480 SE Stark St, Portland, Christopher Marshall, Chief Civil Court Judge, This page was last edited on 10 November 2022, at 18:47. "I needed a change . She attributes working with her partners as being effective at showing her how to be a lawyer and practice law. Disp court-ordered treatment Underhill so she can go back to trying criminal cases civil. 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