How do we Judge our Judges?
There are 3 levels of justice at the Federal level and 3 levels of justice at the Oregon level.
Oregon Judges
Circuit Court Judges
This is the local level of courts in Oregon.
Circuit Court Judges have 6-year terms.
The terms are staggered, so one group of judges is up for re-election, then the next.
One can find your County’s district, Presiding Judge and Judges here: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/Pages/default.aspx
Deschutes is District 11.
Deschutes Court https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/deschutes/Pages/default.aspx
Deschutes Judges https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/Pages/default.aspx
Look for “Presiding Judges” and “Judges” on the right.
Court of Appeals
This is the 2nd level of courts in Oregon. Appellate Court Judges have 6-year terms.
The terms are staggered, so one group of judges is up for re-election, then the next.
Court: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/appellate/coa/Pages/default.aspx
Presiding Judge & Judges: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/appellate/coa/Pages/judges.aspx
Supreme Court
This is the highest level of courts in Oregon. Supreme Court Justices have 6-year terms.
The terms are staggered, so one group of judges is up for re-election, then the next.
Court: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/appellate/supreme/Pages/default.aspx
Presiding Justice & Justices: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/appellate/supreme/Pages/justices.aspx
How Do Judges Get Appointed?
With Judges appearing on our ballots, the possibility exists that a different Judge could be Elected.
In practicality, Judges resign or retire mid-term, and the Governor appoints someone to replace them.
Then the appointed Judge appears on the ballot as "incumbent".
There is also a professional courtesy custom with the Oregon State Bar that one should not "out" bad Judges or Lawyers.
How Do Judges Get Evaluated?
How could we improve the system?
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners annual joint meeting with
our Oregon Circuit Court Judges, District 11 (Deschutes).
Judge our Deschutes Circuit Court Judges, Part 2: Go watch cases, read the News!
Articles on Oregon State Judges
Federal Judges
The US District Court in Oregon is the lowest level of Federal Judges in Oregon.
The US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit is the middle level of Federal Judges.
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the land.
Articles on Federal Judges in Oregon
US District Court Judge Michael Simon is the husband of Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici’s (OR CD1).
This is a potential conflict of interest.