Policies

Overriding Principle

As a district attorney’s office, let us be clear about what we aim for: To protect the public, by delivering justice.

Ultimately, the law is our primary policy manual. If any specific policy provision here conflicts with the law or our aim stated above, then pursuit of our stated aim within the parameters of law will take precedence over any policy provision here. These policies are to be viewed as principles to follow rather than as strict edicts.

Methods of Creating and Maintaining Community Safety

There are many methods/means that society employs to produce an ordered and safe community. A stable, safe, and ordered home where a child can view moral behavior modeled from a young age, may be the most efficacious means of creating a safe and ordered society.

Additionally, government also plays a role in establishing a safe and ordered society. Our criminal justice system is responsible to manage and bring order to certain situations where people hurt others or step outside the parameters of law. We have a direct responsibility to prosecute in a manner that brings justice to those events. Doing this at a high level requires us to call upon our personal courage, our best talents, ability and judgement. This enhances community safety.

Justice Requires Truth & Careful Deliberation

In our roles, we are most likely to obtain justice when we carefully deliberate about the facts of a case, the law, and justice. Careful consideration of these things is a sine qua non for obtaining justice.

Knowing the truth of actual events is a foundation of justice. Prosecutors are never afraid of the truth. We do not shy away from facts that appear to help or hurt our case. Only truth is capable of achieving true justice. For this reason, it is important for us to have open and healthy communication with victims and law enforcement (those that investigate). We should be tenacious is our pursuit of truth.

The public expects that we reach our decisions after careful consideration of what is a right and just outcome. Courts are established to further assist society in carefully considering facts and law so that just outcomes can be obtained. Good prosecutors understand that the process provided by our justice system can be a means of obtaining some justice - even when the final outcome is not a conviction.

The public also expects the highest levels of competency on our part. Supervising attorneys work closely with Deputy District Attorneys to provide advice, oversight, and to ensure the highest ethical standards are followed. Because of the size of our jurisdiction, each Deputy District Attorney must work to obtain competencies to handle all types of criminal cases. Cases will be assigned as approved by direct supervisors.

Professionalism and Ethics

All employees of this office hold a public trust and represent the Office of the District Attorney. Everyone is expected to be mindful that public service is a public trust and our job as public servants is to serve with integrity. We are all expected to do the right thing for the right reasons. You are expected to abide by the Linn County District Attorney Office’s Declaration of Principles. All employees are expected to exercise good judgment and common sense in their everyday dealings with the public, representatives of other departments, agencies, organizations, and each other.

It is important to remember that, as a professional, your job does not end at the close of the workday. You are responsible for your behavior outside of the organization and need to be aware that public perception can be a powerful influence. We have a responsibility to perform our duties as public servants with integrity and to serve the public trust.

Employees are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. All employees will be familiar with the canons of professional ethics of the Oregon State Bar and perform their duties in a manner consistent with those standards. In addition, attorneys are expected to know and follow all rules promulgated by the Oregon Supreme Court and by the Circuit Court of Linn County.

Charging Decisions

All charging decisions are to be made pursuant to the aim of protecting the public by delivering justice. Deciding if criminal charges should be filed and initiating the charging process is the responsibility of Deputy District Attorneys. Deputy District Attorneys should use discretion in screening to eliminate cases in which prosecution is not justified. Deputy District Attorneys also have the responsibility to see that charges selected adequately describes the offense(s) committed and the charges provide for an appropriate sentence for the offense(s).

Generally, Deputy District Attorneys should review cases and make charging decisions before the initial arraignment date in order to avoid unnecessary delays. However, charging decisions may be adjusted beyond the initial arraignment date if the Deputy District Attorney determines further investigation or review of the facts is warranted.

Deputy District Attorneys are not obligated to file all possible charges that the evidence might support. The prosecutor may properly exercise discretion to present only those charges which are consistent with the evidence and in the best interests of justice.

The following are screening and charging decision guidelines/factors:

• The nature of the offense.
• Probability of conviction.
• Possible deterrent value of prosecution.
• The characteristics of the offender.
• The interests of the victim.
• Recommendations of the law enforcement agency involved.
• Any provisions for restitution.
• The age of the offender.
• Doubt as to the guilt of the accused.
• A history of non-enforcement of the statute.
• Excessive costs of prosecution in relation to seriousness of the offense.
• Insufficiency of evidence to support the case.
• Aid to other prosecutorial goals through non-prosecution.
• An expressed wish by the victim not to prosecute.
• Possible improper motives of the victim or witness.
• Likelihood of prosecution by another criminal justice authority.
• Any mitigating evidence.
• The attitude and physical and mental state of the defendant.
• Undue hardship caused to the accused.

In making the charging decision, Deputy District Attorneys shall file only those charges which are reasonably substantiated by admissible evidence at trial. Deputy District Attorneys shall also avoid charging an excessive number of counts, indictments, or informations merely to provide sufficient leverage to persuade a defendant to enter a guilty plea to one or several charges.

Innocence and Evidence

All Deputy District Attorneys shall be alert for cases where the accused is innocent or proof falls below the beyond a reasonable doubt standard of the offense(s) charged. If such is discovered, the victim and police investigator will be contacted and then dismissal will be sought immediately.

Plea Offers

“Truth in Sentencing” is a fundamental value of this office, which includes attempting to ensure that the sentence ordered by the court is fundamentally served. Ultimately, negotiations should be made with an eye towards what we aim for: protecting the public by delivering justice. Plea offers are not mandatory to make in criminal cases. They are to be provided to defendants pursuant to promoting efficient yet just outcomes. Deputy District Attorneys will retain the discretion to negotiate dismissals, nonprosecution, and sentencing recommendations in all cases subject to general ethical standards for plea agreements.

The Linn County District Attorney’s Office will conduct its plea negotiation efforts in a professional, nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan manner. In all plea negotiations this office shall be guided by the relevant constitutional, ethical and statutory considerations.

The following are some of the factors to take into consideration in deciding whether a plea or sentencing negotiation is warranted: nature of the offense; degree of offense charged; mitigating circumstances; age, background, and criminal record of the accused; age of the victim; undue hardship caused to the victim or the accused; expressed wish of the victim; relationship between the accused and the victim; sufficiency of admissible evidence to support a verdict; deterrent value of prosecution; feasibility of restitution being made; attitude and mental state of the accused at the present time; aid to other prosecution goals through non-prosecution; consequences to a defendant or victim; history of non-enforcement of the statute involved; age of the case; likelihood of prosecution in other jurisdictions.

Victim Input and Consultation

Consistent with the Oregon Constitution and the philosophy of the Linn County District Attorney’s Office, the assigned Deputy District Attorney shall solicit input from the victim and consult with the victim during the plea negotiation process where required by law. In the exercise of the discretion to negotiate, the Deputy District Attorney in charge of the case should strongly consider the victim’s wishes.

Crime Victim's Rights

The Linn County District Attorney’s Office makes every effort to ensure crime victims play a meaningful role in the criminal and juvenile justice system. We treat victims with dignity and respect. Deputy District Attorneys shall familiarize themselves with the Crime Victims Bill of Rights as well as with Article 1, Section 42 of the Oregon Constitution, the Crime Victim’s Rights Amendment. The interests of the victim should be kept in mind when setting hearing dates and during plea negotiations.

Victim Restitution

It is our policy to seek restitution equaling the amount of pecuniary loss for victims of all types of crimes. Seeking restitution in no way supersedes or obviates any civil claims a victim might make against the defendant. Deputy District Attorneys should inform Victims Assistance of pending criminal cases. Victim Advocates shall supply victims with financial loss forms to facilitate restitution. Victim Assistance will then take responsibility tracking these forms, communicating with the victim(s) and Crime Victim Compensation. Financial loss documents will include monies paid or pending to be paid by victim insurance companies. Completed loss forms shall be put in the case file prior to the appropriate court date of case disposition. Where appropriate, Deputy District Attorneys should request that restitution be made part of the sentence. Restitution should be ordered based on the loss to the victim, not the offender’s ability to pay at the time of sentencing. In cases in which more than one defendant is held responsible for a criminal act, causing a pecuniary loss, this office views all defendants as being jointly and severally liable for paying restitution. As a result, Deputy District Attorneys should request that judges pronounce sentence in such a way that leaves all defendants jointly and severally liable for the victim’s losses and equally responsible for the expenses incurred by all parties as a result of their criminal actions (ORS 147.005 –147.365). When restitution is legally unattainable as no pecuniary loss is provable, Deputy District Attorneys should consider alternative options such as compensatory fines or community service.

Homicide Cases

Prior to arriving at a homicide plea offer, the trial Deputy District Attorney should, in all but exceptional circumstances, inform and consult with the primary detectives and the family of the victim as to the appropriateness of the offer and any opinions or suggestions they may have.

Before any plea offer is extended in any homicide case, the case Deputy District Attorney and a supervising attorney must meet with the District Attorney. During this meeting the case Deputy District Attorney will present a factual summary of the case and review the mitigating and aggravating factors in the case.

Decision to Pursue Death Penalty

All attorneys responsible for the prosecution of aggravated murder cases must consider the law and evidence of each case and make a determination as to whether seeking the death penalty would be a just outcome. This determination is to be made in consultation with the District Attorney and at least one other supervising attorney.

Mandatory Sentence Cases

Plea offers on felony cases with minimum sentences, including but not limited to, Ballot Measure 11, Ballot Measure 57, Ballot Measure 73, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide per ORS 163.149, Gun Minimums under ORS 161.610, and Dangerous Offender under ORS 161.725 et seq., will be reviewed with the appropriate Supervising Deputy District Attorney prior to plea or trial. These case reviews will examine the strength of the case, the victim’s concerns and opinions, any mitigating factors, and any aggravating factors.

Fines, Fees and Taxpayer Reimbursement

In some instances justice is best achieved by recommending that a defendant pay fines or fees. Deputy District Attorneys may recommend payment of fines and fees in those instances where doing so will serve to protect the public and deliver justice.

Dignity of offenders will increase when an offender pays back to society what resources he or she has taken from society. Deputy District Attorneys look for appropriate instances to recommend that defendants pay for some or all of their court appointed attorney costs.

Truth in Sentencing

“Truth in Sentencing” is a fundamental value of this office, which includes attempting to ensure that the sentence ordered by the court is fundamentally served.

Sentence Reduction Provisions

Deputy District Attorneys are careful to advocate that sentence provisions which reduce the initial sentence declared by the judge are only given after all required legal findings are made. (ie: ORS 137.751 for AIPs.)

Civil Compromise

Civil compromises are available under Oregon law (ORS 135.703 and ORS 135.705) in instances in which a defendant is charged with a crime punishable as a misdemeanor. The injured party may seek to handle the matter as a civil proceeding. The Court, on payment of costs and expenses incurred, may order the complaint dismissed. As a policy principle, we generally oppose civil compromises. Civil compromises, if used frequently, tend to favor affluent criminals and provide them with more lenient treatment within the criminal justice system. Treating an accused more leniently because of their affluence is inappropriate. In the interest of justice and in the interest of protecting community safety, this office believes that criminal acts should be handled in criminal court.

The Oregon State Bar has ruled that it is unethical under certain circumstances for a prosecuting attorney to advise an injured party against opting for a civil compromise of a criminal case.

Conditional Discharge – First Time Possession Drug Offenses

For first time user amount drug offenses, defendants are generally offered a conditional discharge opportunity that requires them to complete an appropriate treatment program. However, a conditional discharge offer may not be appropriate in instances where the defendant already has an extensive criminal history. Deputy District Attorneys work with the court and parole and probation to ensure proper monitoring and compliance with conditional discharge agreements. Conditional discharges are strict compliance agreements. Conditional discharges should not be offered for second or subsequent drug offenses.

Drug Court

The Adult Drug Court is an intensive four-phase program designed to assist drug addicted individuals to overcome their addictions. Drug courts require resources from a number of agencies and are expensive to maintain. Deputy District Attorneys have a duty to ensure the careful use of this resource. In accordance with best practice standards of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the Drug Court should be reserved for offenders in need of a full range of interventions offered by the Drug Court. Drug Court is reserved for high risk, high need offenders. A high risk high need offender is someone who is addicted to or dependent on illicit drugs and is at high risk to continue their drug use in less intensively supervised treatment programs.

The Deputy District Attorney Assigned to the Drug Court team works to ensure that the limited seats in Drug Court are occupied by individuals who are serious about overcoming their addiction. The Drug Court Deputy also works to ensure that participants are not allowed to re-victimize society by continuing their criminal behavior.

Fast Track Disposition Program

Oregon law allows early disposition for first-time offenders who are charged with nonperson offenses. The legislature has termed this Fast Track Disposition. The goal of this program is to save indigent defense costs; hold offenders accountable for their actions; ensure prompt resolution of criminal matters; protect the rights of the public and the offender; get the most out of community resources to provide alternative sanctions to criminal behavior; and reduce the costs of the criminal justice system.

In carrying out Fast-Track Disposition, the Linn County District Attorney’s Office shall identify, at intake, crimes eligible for violation treatment. At the defendant’s first appearance, the defendant should be advised that she or he is eligible for the program and informed of the violation treatment. A fine will be recommended and may be required to be stipulated to by the defendant. If the defendant refuses the plea offer, the offer immediately expires. As this program incentivizes fast resolution, if the offer is rejected it shall not be renewed in ensuing proceedings.

Pre-Arrest Diversion Programs

Law enforcement agencies retain discretion to present or not present most all misdemeanor cases to our office for prosecution. Whenever a municipality or other jurisdiction has a pre-arrest diversion program for misdemeanants, the respective law enforcement agencies implementing such programs should do so in consultation with the District Attorney. Any program established should ensure that delay in prosecution for failed diversions does not negatively impact public safety and the pursuit of justice.

Pre-trial release

The following provisions directly govern Oregon’s scheme for pre-trial release:

• Article I, § 14 of the Oregon Constitution;
• Article I, § 43 of the Oregon Constitution; and
• ORS 135.230 – ORS 135.290.

All Deputy District Attorneys are expected to be familiar with these laws and to advocate for implementation of their provisions.

Guilty Except for Insanity Dispositions

Deputy District Attorneys shall be familiar with ORS 161.295 et seq. and the applicability of GEI will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the remainder of these policies.

Discovery

The discovery obligations of the Linn County District Attorney’s Office are generally established by ORS 135.805 – 135.825; ORS 135.845 – 135.855; Brady v. Maryland, 373 US 83 (1963); Giglio v. United States, 405 US 150 (1972) and Rule 3.8 of the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct. In order to meet discovery obligations in a given case, prosecutors must be familiar with these authorities and with the judicial interpretations that discuss or address the application of these authorities to particular facts. In addition, it is important for prosecutors to thoroughly consider how to meet their discovery obligations in each case and consult with their supervisors for guidance whenever appropriate.

It is the practice of this office to disclose appropriate police reports and other discoverable materials to defense counsel at the earliest opportunity once a case is filed. Our office has an open file policy. All discovery contained in our criminal files are open and available at the Linn County District Attorney’s Office for defendants and their attorneys to come and look at, by appointment, free of cost. Copies of discovery materials are also made available to defendants and their attorneys once payment for the same has been made in full. Fees for discovery copies are set by the Linn County Commissioners in compliance with the Linn County Code.

Any and all written agreements entered into between Linn County law enforcement agencies that relate to data retention and data sharing will be open and available to inspection by the public.

Record Retention

All district attorney office records must be maintained in compliance with the Records Retention & Destruction Schedule published by the Secretary of State or by State law.

Transparency and Confidentiality

This office is committed to transparency to the public it serves. Public records requests made to the Linn County D.A.’s office will be processed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. If a law or court order requires that information possessed by this office be kept confidential, then the Linn County District Attorney’s Office will ensure that such laws or orders are complied with. (e.g. juvenile files, victim information, medical files, personnel files or matters.)

The Use of Certified Law Students

Internships in our office can provide educational opportunities for future attorneys and others. Internships also expose interns to the efforts we take to protect the public and deliver justice. In return, the district attorney’s office receives legal assistance at a reduced cost to taxpayers. To ensure proper supervision and successful internships, all legal interns will be supervised by a full time deputy district attorney. All support staff interns will be supervised by support staff supervisors.

Affidavits of Prejudice Against a Judge

When a Deputy District Attorney believes that a sitting judge’s prejudice against the state is such that in their estimation they should seek to disqualify a judge from hearing a case or cases, then that Deputy shall provide their reasons for their position in writing to a Senior Deputy District Attorney. Affidavits of prejudice, motions to excuse, or requests for a judge to recuse himself or herself can be filed only with the written approval of the District Attorney. Affidavits of prejudice are filed by the District Attorney with the presiding Circuit Court judge. A copy is provided to the judge who is the subject of the affidavit.