In a court of law, the jurors decide what’s a fact and what’s not. To do that, they have to carefully consider all of the evidence that they’re given and all the testimony they hear. Jurors today, often heavily influenced by shows like CSI and Forensic Files, often have high expectations that any science-based testimony or exhibits will be illuminating. But what happens when the jury is led to believe that mere speculation is actually scientific? Consider, for example, bite-mark evidence. Bite mark evidence, which claimed that it was relatively easy for a forensic dentist to match with a defen ..read more

Americans wrongfully convicted of crimes but later exonerated, initially, may feel a rush of jubilation at their newfound freedom. After years of knowing their innocence and seeking legal allies to fight for them in the courts, they have stepped out of a prison cell and into the sunlight. But things are not that simple. Deep down, they know they face a number of challenges once back in civilian life. After being so long ignored, shunned and continuously kicked to the ground, they may find themselves at another life crossroads filled with doubt, frustration and uncertainty. Psychological, physi ..read more

It should go without saying that prison leaves lasting emotional scars. But life after prison when one is wrongfully convicted can be incredibly challenging. The system fails people every day. More than 2,000 people have been released from prison after wrongful convictions since 1989. Some people languish in prison for decades before being exonerated. How do you piece your life together after such a traumatic interruption? Lack of assistance When people are paroled from prison, they are assisted with housing and employment. In many states, innocent people released from prison are cruelly not o ..read more

This past spring welcomed news arrived for dozens of state residents wrongfully convicted of crimes. A new state law declares that this group is now eligible to receive financial compensation for the time they spent behind bars. The false imprisonment that erased years of freedom happened in ways such as tampered evidence by authorities, perjury, mistaken eyewitness identifications and misleading forensic science. Governor signs law in March Gov. Kate Brown on March 24, signed into law the Oregon Justice for Exonerees Act. As a result of the act, people wrongfully convicted of crimes they did ..read more

When you are learning to drive, it can seem like there are many rules to follow while you are on the road. While some are easy to remember, there are others that you may not encounter very often. Then, there are the rules you may not know because you never needed to learn them. Here are a few little-known traffic laws that you may find on the books in Oregon. Don’t mix cars with sleds or skateboards Joring, or animal-powered, sports are popular in many areas of the country. People will use their dogs (or horses) to pull them on skis, sleds, bikes and other contraptions. However, do not be temp ..read more

As the officer walks toward your vehicle, you may know that the traffic stop is about to come with questions about drinking. While you may not be sure if you are over the legal limit, the officer may ask you to submit to tests anyway. During a drunk driving stop, an officer may ask you to perform a field sobriety test or take a breath test to determine if you have had too much to drink. However, there are times when breathalyzer results are not reliable. Here’s what you should know about the reliability of breath tests and whether you are required to take one. Calibration problems There are a ..read more

Pleading guilty to a DUI charge or getting convicted of one at trial can have consequences beyond a possible jail sentence, having to pay a hefty fine or even losing your driver’s license. Expect a jump in insurance costs Besides losing your independence and feeling the embarrassment of your family, friends and co-workers finding out, you will also have to pay more for car insurance. On average, American drivers without a DUI on their records pay $1,674 per year in auto insurance premiums. After a conviction or guilty plea for impaired driving, that figure jumps to $3,139 — an 87 percent incre ..read more

Two men wrongfully convicted of crimes in Idaho each will receive payments of more than $1 million from the state. The men spent decades in prison for rape and murder crimes they did not commit. In each of their cases, new DNA evidence proved they did not commit the crimes, while leading to the arrests of other men in the respective cases. And, in each of the cases, the Idaho Innocence Project advocated for years to secure their respective releases from prison. On June 15, Idaho government officials approved total payments of $2.6 million to the men who are among the first to benefit from the ..read more

For many people in the Portland area, a $100 traffic ticket isn’t something they want to get, but it is affordable. But not everyone is fortunate enough to bear an unexpected $100 fine from the police. Unfortunately, Oregon’s courts do not take ability to pay into account. And if you cannot pay a relatively small fine, late fees and additional charges can snowball quickly until you owe thousands of dollars. And, until recently, you could have lost your driver’s license. A $100 ticket cost him his license For example, a Portland man was ticketed $100 for impeding traffic in 2016. He was living ..read more

In Oregon, much has changed with how drug crimes are addressed, when people can be arrested and the penalties they might face. Since marijuana and other drugs are increasingly treated less severely depending on a variety of factors such as how much the person had in his or her possession, it has radically altered how the case is handled at every level. This has not only impacted the person arrested and the type of defense they present, but it has stoked confusion among law enforcement officers. While every case is different, it is important to understand these concerns as it might be relevant ..read more