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Man pleads guilty to misdemeanor after costing Portland thousands

No matter how insignificant a particular interaction with the police may seem to be, people nonetheless need to prepare for the possibility of any subsequent criminal proceedings. Misdemeanor charges can have an immediate and serious impact on a person's life. In Oregon, misdemeanors include crimes such as disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license, shoplifting, harassment, first-offense DUIs and certain thefts.

Each misdemeanor is punishable by up to a $6,250 fine and one year in jail. Furthermore, criminal charges of any kind can result in damage to a people's reputations, their careers and future job opportunities.

One Colton man now faces a penalty after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor. While most misdemeanors do not become front page news, this man's story actually became national headline news. According to officials, the 23-year-old man was drinking one night in June 2011, near one of Portland's five open-air water reservoirs, which collect and store drinking water for the city.

While near the reservoir, this man was caught on tape urinating into the reservoir drinking water. Shortly thereafter, security officials arrived. As a result of the man's alleged actions, the Portland Water Bureau decided to drain the reservoir and clean it out. The Bureau admitted the risk of harm was low, but it did not want tainted water being provided to Portland residents. The Bureau claims that emptying the reservoir cost the city $36,000.

The man was charged with the misdemeanor of misuse of a reservoir. On Aug. 30, the man pleaded guilty on that charge. He was sentenced to 24 hours of community service at a local food bank. If the man fails to complete these hours by October, then he could be sent to jail for five days.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "Man pleads guilty to urinating in Ore. reservoir," Steven Dubois, Aug. 30, 2012

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