Criminal Justice + Policing
Mexican cartel targeted by Biden administration in multiple fentanyl indictments
WASHINGTON — As illicit fentanyl seizures reach record numbers, the Biden administration on Friday announced “government-wide efforts” to counter narcotics trafficking, including criminally charging members of the Sinaloa Cartel operating out of Mexico, and sanctioning Chinese producers of the chemicals used to make the synthetic drug. The Department of Justice unsealed indictments alleging fentanyl trafficking, […]
Oregon Senate passes bill to protect consumers against counterfeit airbags
The state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to protect consumers against unscrupulous auto repair shops that sell and install counterfeit airbags that fail to protect and save the lives of passengers in crashes. Senate Bill 256 would make it illegal for someone to knowingly manufacture, sell or install counterfeit vehicle safety systems, including airbags […]
Oregon Senate passes street racing bill amid deaths from illegal races
The state Senate on Thursday passed a bill with tougher penalties for people convicted of illegal street racing, a move that comes amid deaths from the activity that have killed Oregon drivers and pedestrians. Senate Bill 615 passed with a 19-7 bipartisan vote and now goes to the House. The bill increases penalties for people […]
Amid a judicial crisis, Oregon lawmakers consider reshaping public defender system
Oregon lawmakers are working on a plan to address the state’s dire need for public defenders who represent people who cannot afford to hire an attorney. A person’s constitutional right to an attorney to defend them against criminal charges – and a speedy trial – is at the heart of the issue: 1,000 Oregonians facing […]
Dozens testify against firearm bill that critics say tries to circumvent the courts
The gun debate played out on Monday in the Senate Judiciary Committee, with Oregonians at odds over whether the state should have a permit system to purchase firearms. If the debate sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Senate Bill 348 would build on Measure 114, which voters passed in November. That law bans high-capacity magazine […]
3 kids, 3 adults killed in shooting at Nashville private elementary school
Three children and three adult staff members are dead after a mass shooting event Monday at The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood. Among the victims are three 9-year-old children: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. The adult victims are Cynthia Peak, 61, Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine Koonce, […]
The big divide over guns and violence plays out in the Oregon Legislature
Oregon lawmakers heard civil but sometimes emotional testimony on Wednesday about firearms legislation to prevent gun violence and ban untraceable or detectable guns. Dozens testified, including Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and representatives from the National Rifle Association. Advocates also spoke, with people representing the gun violence prevention group Moms […]
Oregon lawmakers propose measures to stem gun violence, stem ‘ghost guns’
Oregon lawmakers are pursuing a package of firearm bills aimed at preventing gun violence and curbing the proliferation of untraceable guns. They say the proposals are needed to stem gun violence and give law enforcement the necessary tools to address the issue. The Democratic lawmakers have the support of House Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, who […]
Oregon takes step toward letting people in prison vote
Oregonians in prison for felony convictions would regain the right to vote beginning in 2026 under a proposal that won preliminary approval from a legislative panel Thursday. Senate Bill 579 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 3-2 vote, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. It now heads to the budget-writing Joint […]
Oregon legislation targets organized retail theft that cost businesses millions of dollars a year
Oregon retailers face sophisticated theft rings that steal goods – electronics, jewelry and other merchandise – and sell the items for illicit gains. A crime ring that repeatedly targets the same business can cost it tens of thousands of dollars in losses – or more. Thieves also pose a public safety risk by running through […]
Rape victims seek stronger voice in how Oregon classifies sex offenders
Oregon Republican lawmakers and victims of the notorious “jogger rapist” Richard Gillmore – who admitted to raping nine women and girls in the 1970s and 1980s – want to pass legislation that would give victims a voice when the state classifies sex offenders and determines the risk they pose to communities. In recent months, the […]
Towing companies make Oregon’s top 10 consumer complaint list
For the first time, consumers have put towing companies on the list of their top 10 complaints, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Tuesday. She said the Oregon Department of Justice received 190 complaints about them in 2022, putting that industry seventh on the list. It provides insights into how Oregon consumers feel they are […]