Integrity - Fairness - Experience

May 4, 2024 La Grande Observer

OTHER VIEWS

by Wes Williams

Record proves you elected the right judge

I believe in a justice system that serves the people; a justice system that honors the American principle of equality before the law; a justice system that protects our constitutional rights.   

I ran for judge in 2018 because I believe in these principles. Before you elected me, the last three judges had been appointed by the governor, the last two by Governor Kate Brown. The recent practice in Union and Wallowa Counties was for judges to retire part way through their term, then have the governor appoint the next judge.

But in Oregon, the people have a constitutional right to elect their judges - a judge that lives in, works in, and understands the community he or she serves. When you elected me, we broke the cycle of a small group of insiders choosing your judge through the appointment process. The power to elect the judge was returned to the people, where it belongs.

My record proves that you elected the right judge. Of the thousands of decisions I have made in criminal and civil cases, those that have been appealed have all been upheld but one. Prosecutors have never appealed me. Not once.

I can manage more than a full caseload and I work full time. For a variety of reasons, judges are not able to handle 100% of the cases filed in their jurisdiction. I am one of two judges that serve Union and Wallowa Counties. A full-time caseload would involve handling 50% of all cases filed.

The Oregon Judicial Department statistics prove that I can handle approximately 80% of all the cases filed here. That leaves only 20% of the cases for the presiding judge to handle for us to manage the court’s docket.

The 80% of cases I can handle here are non-criminal, civil cases. These cases involve lawsuits, personal injuries, will contests, divorces, property disputes, landlord-tenant, small claims, and many other types of controversies. In many of these cases people do not have lawyers. Here I devote more time and effort. I carefully explain the courtroom procedures and my decisions, and patiently listen as often nervous people tell their stories. 

In his recent opinion piece, Russ West misrepresented my caseload by refusing to consider many of the above cases that I handle. In his opinion, they are only worthy of a “brief hearing” and should not be considered. But, every case is important. I spend the necessary time in court, in chambers, and often after work at home, to make the fair and legally correct decisions. The citizens of Union and Wallowa Counties deserve my full attention.

While I can already handle 80% of the caseload, I look forward to handling the remaining 20% after the election – the criminal cases. It makes sense to wait until after the election – after the people have elected me TWICE – to challenge the DA’s removal.

At this point, I trust the DA will mediate to avoid a contested Senate Bill 807 hearing. Experience tells us that contested hearings move parties farther apart and mediation is the better solution. This is particularly true when the parties must work together regularly.

Also, our SB 807 hearing may be the first of its kind. I intend to be well prepared and win. I do not currently have the time to devote to this hearing as I am working full-time and running a campaign. 

I made you a promise when you elected me. Throughout all of this, I have kept that promise. I honor the American principle of equality before the law; I protect your constitutional rights; and I make fair and legally correct decisions.  

Wes Williams

10th Circuit Court Judge, first elected in 2018

"Judge Wes Williams has served Union and Wallowa Counties faithfully for the last five years.  His intellect, judicial demeanor and faithfulness to the law are testaments to his quality as an excellent judge." 

Robert S. Raschio, Harney Judge Presiding Judge