By Paul Daquilante • Staff Writer • 

Judge's candidates meet the public

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Comments

Bill B

"“We imprison far too many people,” Lawrence said. He described jails and prisons as “hopeless and dreary places,” where not everyone needs to be confined. “Most people can be rehabilitated,” he said."

Well, he just lost my vote.

Lulu

I agree--a most unfortunate statement.
People are livid about these slap-on-the-wrist judges; there are those who should never see the light of day. Many are lurking (or driving) on the streets of Yamhill County because of judges sharing Lawrence's viewpoint.

bdf

Bill B and Lulu,

I think the problem is multi-fold. It starts with the DA. If they "over charge" a case to force a plea deal, then you’re going to have Judges that "slap" people on the wrist. That being said, there are sentencing guides that Judges have to follow. Even the Miller the DDA states the county has "worked hard to determine who is and who is not best suited for a prison sentence". It’s a fine line that has no real clear answers. So here you have a Defense attorney and a DDA both agreeing that sometimes it makes sense. Fredrick, seems to give a non-answer "Fredrick said Yamhill County is more progressive with regard to reducing days inmates spend behind bars".

Let’s be honest here, Bill and Lulu. These comments are specifically centered around the homeless and transient issue. NIMBY in the words of some famous comedian. Don't get me wrong, I think it is an issue. Fortunately, we do live in the United States of America and we don’t just get to run people out of town because they are not like us. Our “Facebook” society has made us so intolerant and biased towards people that are different then ourselves.

Respectfully,
Downtown Business Owner, Father, Capitalist and Coach

Bill B

Not sure which comments you think refer to the "transient and homeless issue." Not mine. If you read the arrest and court records each week, you'll note that most are not homeless or transients. They are repeat offenders who have been given minimum sentences or more likely probation.
Not sure your basis for the over charge comment by the DA's office, but I do agree they seem to plea bargain far too much.

Lulu

Absolutely. I have said from the outset Brad Berry must go. He appears to prefer traveling to conferences as opposed to overseeing his office. Reminds me of Malibu Ken, only this is DA Berry. But "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." (Henry IV.) Meaning he holds the ultimate responsibility.
Like Bill B, I have no clue as to the nature of your comments. Let's be more honest, bdf: How could I be a NIMBY when all this crap is really happening in my actual backyard?

Rotwang

Did anyone address the inherent right of individuals on a jury to judge the law as well as the facts in a case?

Joe

Let’s see a attorney for the public unions as in Chapman who have lawfully stolen millions of we the taxpayers or anyone else?

Tough one I’ll go with anyone but her!

T.W.S.

Lulu, unless you've worked in the DAs Office you have absolutely NO basis in fact for your unsubstantiated ignorant statement regarding Mr. Brad Berry and how his Office functions. None whatsoever. FACT is that when there is good leadership and even better employees who can perform to peak standards without being micromanaged. That way the DA can attend to his responsibilities just the same, which means going to conferences with other DAs and staying on top of legal changes, new case law that affect Oregon, and a host of other policy issues that could affect his Office. You really should refrain from rendering such subjective unsubstantiated ignorant opinions. When people read your comments, one can not help but shake their head and roll their eyes at the tripe you post. I mean it is patently clear you know nothing about how a DA's Office works and the inner workings of the Criminal Justice System, specifically the courts. And a lot of you also fail to realize that it is our state legislators that make the laws that judges, prosecutors and even defense attorneys have to follow.

T.W.S.

bgf, prosecutors do NOT 'overcharge' cases. Initial charging instruments begin with charges that appear to fit the facts based on initial police reports and what statutes (that legislators wrote/approved) delineate as the elements of the crime that need to be met in order to charge the accused. Those charging instruments will change once grand jury has had their time to hear the facts. Sometimes new charges are added, sometimes charges are removed. In other words...it is all a process. As for DDA Miller's statement you quoted, you have to have an understanding how the system works. The law is the law and the county cannot simply ignore it. However there is some latitude in sentencing, but that latitude is still dependent upon the nature and degree of the crime(s), in addition to previous convictions that need to be considered. Prosecutors and judges are not given carte blanche with sentencing recommendations.

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