• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lane County Republicans

"Turning Lane County Red"

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Donate
  • PCP Info
    • Learn About and Become a PCP
    • Online PCP Appointment Application
    • PCP Resource Page
    • LCRP PCP Handbook
    • ORP PCP Statewide Manual
    • Oregon Republican Platform 2021
    • ORP Bylaws
    • LCRCC Bylaws
    • Official Oregon Recall Manual
    • Oregon Petition Circular Training Manual
    • Precincts & Maps
    • SEL-105D Precinct Committee Person Write-in Form
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Form Online
    • Write Letter
    • Talk on the Radio!
  • Events
  • Run for Office
    • Elected Officials
    • Ratings of Oregon Lawmakers
    • Election Calendar 2022
  • Voter Registration
    • Check or Update Voter Registration
    • Voter Integrity
  • Links
    • Patriot Links
    • Vaccine Exemptions
    • Viewpoints
    • Oregon House Press Releases
    • Oregon Senate Press Releases
    • Post Archives
  • About
    • Contact
  • Patriot Shop
You are here: Home / Community / Why We Vote

Why We Vote

Governor Brown won the lawsuit that was brought against her for releasing 100s of criminals on a broad clemency decision, our DA’s and some in our County Party worked hard on this case for a long time. Ultimately the judge thought it was the peoples’ responsibility to take care of the issue because the governor is elected by the people. Here is a wrap-up article on the issue.

https://www.ijpr.org/law-and-justice/2022-08-10/oregon-appeals-court-sides-with-gov-brown-in-emotional-fight-over-early-prison-releases

The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Gov. Kate Brown was within her authority to grant clemency in 2020 and 2021 to around 1,000 people convicted of crimes.

The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Gov. Kate Brown was within her authority to grant clemency in 2020 and 2021 to around 1,000 people convicted of crimes.

The governor’s use of her powers to shorten prison sentences drew condemnation from two district attorneys, Linn County’s Doug Marteeny and Lane County’s Patricia Perlow. The pair of district attorneys and family members of crime victims sued the governor and other state officials to stop the clemency actions.

The district attorneys took particular issue with Brown’s decision to allow 73 people convicted of crimes such as murder, assault, rape and manslaughter while they were younger than 18 to apply for early release.

The legal action alleged Brown granted clemency to people who had not sought early release through the standard legal process. The majority of the people receiving clemency were either medically at risk during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic or had helped with wildfire fighting efforts during the historic Labor Day fires of 2020.

While the district attorneys and the crime victims who brought the legal action made technical arguments about why Brown’s actions were overreach, the Appeals Court said it was also clear there was emotion at stake in the clemency decisions because crime victims felt they were “denied justice.”

“The arguments and emotions present in this case echo through the centuries. The power to pardon, sitting within a singular executive – be they monarch, president, or governor – has always been controversial,” the opinion states. “Whenever it has been used, it has been lauded by some, and condemned by others.”

Still, the Appeals Court judges said they were “not called here to judge the wisdom of the Governor’s clemency … that is a political question.” Instead, the judges said their job was to narrowly rule on whether the governor could legally take the action that she did, and on that front they found her actions legally sound.

“Hurt – no matter how sympathetic – does not translate to authority to challenge and displace commutations that accord with the constitutional powers afforded the Governor,” the Appeals Court opinion states.

In a statement to OPB, Perlow said the governor’s actions amounted to a “violation of victims’ rights,” and she hoped the incoming Oregon Legislature would take action to put limits on the governor’s clemency powers.

“The Court of Appeals has granted the Governor unbridled authority to trample on the rights of victims and limit the authority of the 36 District Attorneys to enforce those rights,” Perlow said.

She added she would be closely watching Brown’s remaining months in office to see if the governor takes any further clemency actions.

Marteeny, the other district attorney who brought the case, said he thought the public could take action if they disagree with the Appeals Court decision.

“This opinion explains that ‘ultimately, it is the voters … who hold the power to limit clemency actions.’ We are the masters of our destiny and this outlines the significant need for a change to Oregon’s law,” he said in a statement to OPB. “Most reasonable people agree that victims should have a voice in these matters.”

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, whose office represented the governor in the case, praised Wednesday’s decision.

“Today’s decision recognizes that the Governor had the authority to commute the sentences as she did,” Rosenblum said in a statement. “I am pleased that the Court of Appeals gave our appeal the attention it deserved and expedited their consideration of it.”

The legal wrangling over juvenile offenders comes at a time when neuroscientists and lawmakers have started to change their views on criminal justice. For many years, Oregon allowed juveniles in some cases to receive sentences of life without parole.

Youth advocates have started to contest overly punitive approaches, arguing that research clearly shows human brains don’t fully develop decision making skills until well into a person’s 20s. U.S. Supreme Court decisions have begun to accept that research in criminal cases involving young people.

In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill that made changes to the juvenile justice system by eliminating life sentences without parole for youth offenders. It also allowed them another hearing to review their case after serving half their sentences.

After that bill became law, Brown signed an executive order allowing it to apply retroactively to juveniles convicted between 1988 and 2019.

District attorneys across the state have criticized that decision as dangerous and traumatizing to crime victims.

Copyright 2022 Oregon Public Broadcasting. To see more, visit Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Please follow and like us:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Pin Share

Related

Filed Under: Community, Viewpoints

Primary Sidebar

Language Translator

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish

HQ AND PATRIOT SHOP HOURS

  • Lane County GOP HQ
  • 35817 Highway 58, Pleasant Hill, OR 97455
  • Open Wed – Sat 10AM – 5PM
  • Not open all Saturdays so call ahead
  • Phone: 458-215-8218

Recent Posts

  • House Republican Caucus Celebrates School Choice Week
  • EQUITABLE OREGON: Senate Republicans Roll Out 2023 Session Agenda
  • ICYMI: Republican Leaders Send Joint Letter to President Wagner & Speaker Rayfield Addressing Fiscal Responsibility of the Legislature
  • Donald Trump’s Accomplishments as President
  • House Republican Leader Announces 2023 Caucus Priorities
  • State Representative David Brock Smith Appointed to Fill Senate District 1 Vacancy
  • Senator Bonham Joins Leadership Team as Deputy Leader
  • House Republican Caucus Sends Letter To Governor Tina Kotek
  • Lane County Republican PCP Meeting January 14th at the Friendly Street Church 10am
  • House Republican Leader Announces 2023 Caucus Leadership Team

Your Donation Helps in the Fight to Reclaim Our County, State and Nation

GOP Patriot Shop

Free Online Courses

Resources

  • Candidates Corner – midterm 2022
  • Candidates Corner – primary 2022
  • Check or Update Voter Registration
  • COVID Vaccine Mandate Exemption Resources
  • Covid-19 Guidelines and Press
  • Difference Between Republic and Democracy
  • Donate to Your Local GOP
  • Elected Officials
  • Election Calendar 2022
  • Events
  • File Sharing
  • Get Involved
  • Lane County GOP Patriot Shop
  • LCRCC Bylaws
  • LCRCC Bylaws
  • LCRP PCP Handbook
  • Learn About and Become a PCP
  • Online PCP Appointment Application
  • Oregon Petition Circular Training Manual
  • Oregon Republican Party Platform
  • Oregon Republican Platform 2021
  • ORP Bylaws
  • ORP PCP Statewide Manual
  • ORP Standing Rules
  • PCP Resource Page
  • Post Archives
  • Precincts & Maps
  • Ratings of Oregon Lawmakers
  • Register to Vote
  • Run for Office
  • SEL-105D Precinct Committee Person Write-in Form
  • Small Business Owner’s Guide to CARES Act
  • Volunteer | Lane County Republicans
  • Voter Integrity

Twitter Feed

Follow @LaneOregon
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
House Republican Caucus Celebrates School Choice Week https://t.co/IP8Y8JBTTW
View on Twitter
0
0
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
EQUITABLE OREGON: Senate Republicans Roll Out 2023 Session Agenda https://t.co/TRcizgjzGk
View on Twitter
0
0
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
ICYMI: Republican Leaders Send Joint Letter to President Wagner & Speaker Rayfield Addressing Fiscal Responsibility of the Legislature https://t.co/s9hZ5536tp
View on Twitter
0
0
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
who's afraid to sneeze in public? c'mon, admit it... https://t.co/JVmLnchzCo
View on Twitter
Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis@DrLoupis
They somehow managed to demonize coughs, sniffles and having no symptoms at all..

But normalized strokes, blood clots, neurological disorders, spontaneous abortions and “died suddenly”.

Well done!
0
0
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
as if you didn't know, here's some sauce from an actual real scientist...
https://t.co/0xLla2QVJX
View on Twitter
0
1
Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP Oregon: Lane County Republicans GOP ·
@LaneOregon
Dr. Peter McCullough is 100x better than Fauci !! https://t.co/UsKyB7gS61
View on Twitter
kanekoa.substack.com @KanekoaTheGreat
Dr. Peter McCullough July 2021:

#1 Virus doesn't spread asymptomatically.
#2 Stop testing asymptomatic people.
#3 Natural immunity is robust & durable.
#4 Covid-19 is easily treatable at home.
#5 Vax is obsolete & unsafe for human use.

@P_McCulloughMD is 100x better than Fauci. https://t.co/SAdKzvcZhR
0
0

Footer

More to See

President Trump’s Speech at National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Dinner

COVID Vaccine Mandate Exemption Resources

PrecinctStrategy.com – Become a Precinct Committee Person!

Keeping Track of Your Employees

Interactive Map to Find your Legislator

How is your Legislator Voting?

What’s being filed in Salem?

Track Bills in Salem

Oregon Legislative Updates

Track Bills, Votes, Members of Congress

Search

© 2023 · Lane County Oregon Republicans · Official Site of Lane County Republican Central Committee· Login