The criminal justice system in Oregon is designed to punish those people who are found guilty of committing a felony or misdemeanor crime. Often times, these punishments can be severe and have long lasting effects. With the right criminal defense, people can reduce these punishments, but without help many people end up in prison.
According to statics released by the Governor's Public Safety Commission around 14,000 people are currently incarcerated in the state of Oregon. Furthermore, recent statics show that over the last 10 years, Oregon has incarcerated people at a rate of three times more than the national average.
With these staggering numbers many in the community and in the state legislature have started to question Oregon's sentencing guidelines -- particularly when it comes to nonviolent crimes. Many suggest that Oregon needs to create more services and rehabilitative programs that help people stay away from criminal activity following their release from prison. These programs would include help with addictions, job and skill training and mental health treatment.
Others say that while these services might help Oregonians, they are too expensive for the state to run with its limited funds. However, proponents of change argue that these changes would be cheaper to implement than it is to keep people locked behind bars.
While state officials argue about how to lower incarceration and imprisonment rates, those facing criminal charges need to make sure that they do not become a victim of this system. Misdemeanor charges may not carry as long of prison sentences but they can still have long lasting effects. Felony charges, on the other hand, can lead to years in prison. In either case, a person is left with a criminal record that can haunt them and make it easier for them to end up back behind bars.
By defending against charges from the beginning of a case, people can try to avoid many of these consequences. In most situations, defenses are available that can reduce the length of prison sentences or allow a person to avoid prison time altogether.
Source: The Portland Observer, "Push Back on Prisons," Cari Hachmann, March 6, 2013
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