Eight individuals in Multnomah County are seeing a potential light at the end of their tunnels thanks to SB 819, a piece of legislation giving new life to prior convictions deemed worthy of a second look. District Attorney Mike Schmidt's office announced that these joint petitions were submitted for reconsideration under this new law, which was adopted by the Oregon legislature in 2023. It allows elected prosecutors the power to revisit old cases, especially where convictions impede on the ability of individuals to secure employment or housing, and where they have shown positive rehabilitation efforts.
According to the official announcement from the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, the policies ensure that all victims are contacted at least 30 days before any hearings. A community advisory board is also in place to offer their perspective before the district attorney progresses with a case. This all culminates in a judge deciding whether to amend or remove a conviction. Notably, in some cases, the office is willing to consider sentences that might seem disproportionate, possibly affecting those currently serving time.
During the proceedings, Judge Melvin Oden-Orr presided over the cases, with victims, family members, and defendants present. The sentences and conviction reassessment included Shane Ebberts, Frank F. Swopes Jr., Allen Wayne Howard, Tanya Stoudamire, Aaron D. Kent, Dashia Fontleroy, Jonathan Alexander Craig, and Nicholas Thornton. These cases point to a larger question of justness and the capacity for change that SB 819 hints at.
"Today the court held hearings in several SB 819 cases and agreed that charges could be changed or dismissed to allow people to move on with their lives with clean records in recognition that they had turned their lives around," DA Schmidt stated in the announcement via Multnomah County District Attorney's official website. He also expressed gratitude for Judge Oden-Orr's acknowledgment of the work done by the justice integrity unit and victim's advocates. Although not all petitions were granted, the remaining SB 819 cases will be set over for an additional 30-day period, providing extra time for considering the joint petitions submitted to the court.
