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Oregon voters adopt stricter rules for gun ownership

JURIST

Voters in Oregon Tuesday adopted a ballot measure to place stricter requirements on gun ownership. On the other hand, Lift Every Voice Oregon, a proponent of the law, said the law will reduce gun violence and make “schools and communities safer.”

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86 Years Of Split-Jury Convictions Invalidated In Oregon

The Crime Report

All non-unanimous convictions, including convictions for violent felonies, that were reached during the 86-year period in Oregon when the state allowed split-jury convictions have been overturned retroactively, invalidating hundreds of felony convictions, Zane Sparling reports for The Oregonian. .

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Lack of Oregon Public Defenders Leaves Hundreds of Defendants on Their Own

The Crime Report

Across Oregon, roughly 1,300 defendants are caught up in a public defender shortage with their cases unable to move forward until they can find representation, reports Zane Sparling for Oregon Live. Complaints of overwork and low pay among public defenders have been allowed to fester for years.

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Oregon Criminal Defendants File Lawsuit Over Shortage of Public Defenders

The Crime Report

Criminal defendants in Oregon who have gone without legal representation for long periods of time amid a critical shortage of public defense attorneys have filed a lawsuit that alleges the state violated their constitutional right to legal counsel and a speedy trial, reports the Associated Press. The lawsuit specifically names Gov.

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US judge declares California assault weapon ban unconstitutional

JURIST

The California law makes it a felony to manufacture, distribute, import, keep for sale or lend assault weapons. In July, a federal judge for the District of Oregon ruled that Oregon Ballot Measure 114 , which restricts large-capacity magazines and requires permits before purchasing a firearm, is constitutional.

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Oregon Drug Decriminalization Yields Mixed Results

The Crime Report

Under Ballot Measure 110, possession of controlled substances is now a newly created Class E “violation,” instead of a felony or misdemeanor. It carries a maximum $100 fine, which can be waived if the person calls a hotline for a health assessment.

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Drug Arrests are Proving Ineffective, But Do Reforms Yield Better Results?

The Crime Report

Under Illinois law, all drug possession cases involving less than 15 grams — as little as a single pill of Xanax or a grain of heroin — are lumped together under the same felony offense, making it impossible to isolate statistics for specific quantities. In addition, many cops aren’t carrying out their new responsibilities.

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