On Monday, Multnomah County welcomed its new District Attorney, Nathan Vasquez, after his victory in the primary elections last May. Succeeding Mike Schmidt, who previously held the position, Vasquez was sworn in with promises of a shift in prosecution approach, one that differs significantly from his predecessor's policies. The change comes after Vasquez secured 53% of the popular vote in a race against Schmidt, his former boss, as reported by KPTV.
During an era marked by intense protests and civil unrest, the new DA's attitude towards crime stands in contrast to the more lenient stance previously observed. Vasquez, in a recent interview with KATU, expressed his desire to see a more robust justice system. He highlighted a particular concern, stating, “I call it a public defense work stoppage. Because, quite frankly, there are more public defenders than there are prosecutors,” emphasizing the disparity between public defense and prosecution in the county.
Vasquez emphasizes the need for public defenders to engage more actively in taking cases. This stance suggests an administration that will likely push for a more stringent application of the law, a pivot that could have rippling effects throughout the criminal justice system within Multnomah County. According to KGW, the tougher-on-crime approach heralded by Vasquez is set to begin taking shape starting this week, with his policies expected to unfold in the coming months.
Reflection on the year 2020 might bring to mind the extended period of protests and a particular pattern of destruction that swept not just Multnomah County but numerous cities across the nation. Within this context, the new DA's strategies will be forged and scrutinized. While Vasquez has not detailed the specifics of his upcoming policy changes, his background and statements imply an era of more stringent prosecutorial efforts, which could fundamentally alter the legal landscape of Multnomah County.
