Portland Attorney Blog

Sex Crimes & Penalties in Oregon

If you are facing charges for a sex crime in Oregon, it is extremely important that you take action to protect yourself and defend your rights. Whether you’ve been charged with rape, sexual assault, internet sex crimes, or child pornography, these allegations could have a significant impact on your life. The penalties for these types of crimes can be steep indeed, sometimes resulting in ...

Can Silence or Refusal in a DUI Case Be Used Against You?

If you are pulled over by a police officer for drunk driving , you need to know your rights. You have certain rights to protect yourself from incrimination, but it can be easy to provide information that can be used against you in court. Learn more about how to exercise your rights to protect yourself from DUI charges. If you are pulled over for a DUI, the office must have a probable cause. This ...

Tips for Police Questioning

Tips for Police Questioning. Take a deep breath. Ask: “Can I leave now?” If the answer is yes, calmly and quietly leave the area. If police questioning continues: “I don’t consent to a search, I want to remain silent, and I want to talk to an attorney.” Anything else you say will be used against you.

Iowa rejects juvenile mandatory minimum sentences. Could Oregon be next?

On July 18, 2014, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that juveniles cannot be given mandatory minimum sentences. Iowa is the first state to find that mandatory minimum sentences are unconstitutional when applied to children. The case involved Andrew Lyle Jr., who took a small plastic bag containing $5 worth of marijuana from a fellow student in October, 2010. Mr. Lyle was sentenced to 10 years ...