Courts and cops hold monthly meetings

By on Monday, March 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HEPPNER – Sixth Circuit Court Presiding Judge Dan Hill and Court Administrator Roy Blaine have started monthly meetings in which law meets order. The sessions bring together court personnel including security, representatives of the district attorney’s offices in Morrow and Umatilla counties, and law enforcement.

“We’re discussing things that are happening in the courts and issues that may come up and, basically, ideas to fix these issues,” Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson said.

Topics have ranged from impacts of the pandemic to tracking data from new laws. Nelson said that one major topic is how to determine if Oregon’s drug decriminalization measure is actually working.

“How do we keep track of that to see if it’s working,” he wondered. “How many individuals who receive that ticket actually decide to call in for that drug evaluation or pay the $100 fine?”