Oregon’s Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Demonstrates that Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton Is Standing in the Way of Progress

July 1, 2021

HILLSBORO - The Oregon Legislature passed over two dozen bills this session that addressed a broad swath of reforms to criminal justice and policing, despite resistance from Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton and the Oregon District Attorneys Association.

One such successful reform, the Sanctuary Promise Act, prohibits Oregon public agencies from sharing information about those in their custody with ICE and other federal immigration authorities. Once signed by Governor Kate Brown, it will prohibit the Washington County District Attorney’s current ICE communication policy, which explicitly directs the office “to communicate with ICE if there is reason to believe a defendant in a criminal case is in the United States illegally and there is a concern related to public safety.”

Bills that made it through the session, some with massive bipartisan support and the support of Washington County’s House and Senate delegations, include $4 million in funding for restorative justice programs, which have been shown to reduce recidivism, increase accountability for those responsible for crimes, and increase the satisfaction of victims when compared to traditional prosecution.

ODAA, of which Barton is Vice President, opposed such funding when it was part of a larger package of reform measures, HB 2002. In a move that disappointed many of the communities most impacted by overpolicing and mass incarceration, ODAA’s opposition helped sink HB 2002’s other proposed reforms, such as limiting unnecessary police traffic stops.

Barton also presented testimony in opposition to bills that would have overhauled Oregon’s “one strike” law, Measure 11, and one of his deputies testified in opposition to a bill that would have given judges discretion to offer more lenient sentences to defendants who were themselves survivors of domestic violence. Those bills were sidetracked and never came to a vote.

Last year, Barton was vocally opposed to Measure 110, the statewide Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative that passed with the overwhelming support of Washington County voters.

“This session accomplished many necessary changes in policing and prosecution,” said Washington County Justice Initiative’s Minister of Registry, Brian Decker. “It also fell short of the promise of dramatically reducing our community’s reliance on the criminal legal system and further developing safer alternatives. ‘Tough on crime’ District Attorneys often claim to be neutral enforcers of the laws the legislature passes. But when they position themselves as barriers to meaningful legislative change they show they are anything but neutral.”

Those who wish to become involved and learn more about criminal legal issues in Washington County may visit wcji.org.

Washington County Justice Initiative

Contact Brian Decker, Minister of Registry, at brian@wcji.org