If you have a criminal record, you may find it harder to land a job. Prospective employers may be impressed with your skills and experience. But when they run a background check, they may suddenly lose interest in hiring you and decide to go with another candidate. In...
Post-conviction relief is sometimes possible, even if you have already gone through a trial and been convicted. Many people assume that this conviction marks the end of the process and that they are out of options. It is important to know that this is not always true...
One reason that someone may be able to seek post-conviction relief after being convicted of a crime is if prosecutorial misconduct is discovered after the trial and after the deadline for appealing the conviction has passed. There are a number of things that can...
Convicted offenders have the right to seek post-conviction relief when it is applicable. But these rights don’t negate the victims’ rights. It’s very important that offenders take care not to trample on the victims’ or survivors’ rights as they seek the relief that’s...
You find yourself facing serious criminal charges, and you are worried that being convicted in a jury trial would lead to a substantial sentence. But you are then offered a plea deal, giving you a chance for a reduced sentence. You decide to plead guilty. You...
One reason why you may be interested in post-conviction relief is if you believe you have been falsely convicted. You firmly believe you did nothing wrong, but you have been convicted anyway. You may want to look into your right to appeal that decision and take other...
Just because someone is convicted and sentenced for a crime, that doesn’t mean the legal fight ends there. A defendant can pursue post-conviction relief (PCR) to challenge their conviction or sentence. While post-conviction relief can offer a second chance, many...
There are moments when the justice system fails, not because of bad intentions, but because something vital was missed. For example, a piece of evidence may not have been collected, a witness overlooked or a test that could have told a different story. For the person...
When you can’t fully understand what’s said in court, you can’t defend yourself fairly. For many people in Oregon whose first language isn’t English, confusion or poor interpretation often leads to serious mistakes, even wrongful convictions. Here’s what happens when...
Laws can change with relative frequency. New laws are passed or older laws are repealed. While there are certainly many long-term laws that remain in place, there can also be changes within the legal system over the years. But what happens when these laws change and...
