Legal Services
If you have been charged with a crime in Oregon, I am prepared to help you. I have defended a great number of individuals who have found themselves accused of crime. The decision to go to trial or to negotiate a manageable resolution is the decision you, the client, must make. My job is to provide you with the best possible list of options to choose from and the advice you need to make a wise decision. That requires me to work hard, work smart and work with you. If a trial is called for, then I will "go to the mat" for you without hesitation. I have taken to trial everything from Capital Murder to Shoplifting. Every trial is serious business that calls for thorough preparation, a sound strategy and a seasoned trial lawyer. If you believe a negotiated settlement is best, then that too requires thorough preparation, a sound strategy and a seasoned trial lawyer. Prosecutors tend to make better offers to defendants who are represented by a lawyer who has a history of outstanding results and has demonstrated a willingness to test the government's case rather than recommend acceptance of an unreasonable offer. Time and time again, I have had the privilege of seeing the relief and joy of clients when they hear the judge or jury announce their verdict of "not guilty"
In addition to defending clients accused of crime, I have served as a youth mentor, coached a high school Mock Trial team that went to State Finals, served on the Executive Board of the Criminal Law Section of the Oregon State Bar Association, served on the Uniform Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, served as Disciplinary Counsel (trial counsel) for the Oregon State Bar, and presented at a number of legal education conferences on subjects such as Cross-Examination, Defense Motions, and Victim's Rights.
If you think I could help you or a loved one contact me as soon as possible.
Measure 11
Measure 11 refers to Ballot Measure 11, an initiative passed by the Oregon Voters in 1994 that became effective in 1995. It provides that persons convicted of certain crimes receive a mandatory minimum sentence, regardless of the person's criminal record or the particular circumstances of the offense. While there are certain exceptions for some offenses (see the chart, below) these sentences begin at 5 years 10 months and go up to 25 years. If you are being investigated for a Measure 11 offense, it is extremely important that you speak with an experienced attorney before you agree to speak with someone from law enforcement. If you have already been charged with a Measure 11 offense, you need to find the best attorney you can find, an attorney with years of experience in defending persons accused of Measure 11 crimes. I have successfully defended against Measure 11 charges in counties throughout the State of Oregon, including Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Deschutes, Lincoln, Umatilla, Tillamook and other counties.
Relief from Sex Offender Registration
Oregon law provides an avenue for relief for some convicted sex offenders so that they no longer are required by law to register as a sex offender. The benefits of obtaining such relief can be enormous. As it now stands, anyone can request and receive a list of sex offenders in their neighborhood, or they can make a specific inquiry with the State Police about a particular individual. Employers, neighbors, co-workers and others frequently obtain such information and use it to the serious disadvantage of the registered sex offender.
Even if you were convicted of a sex crime in another state and moved to Oregon you are most likely required to register in Oregon. The good news is, you may also be eligible for relief from registration by going through the Oregon courts regardless of where your conviction occurred or what the laws concerning such relief may be in the state of conviction.
Obtaining relief from the sex offender registration requirement is not automatic. The laws in this area are complex, and it will be highly advisable for you to obtain the services of an experienced attorney if you want to succeed in getting relief from the sex offender registration requirement.
Expungement
"Expungement" refers to the sealing of the official records of arrest and conviction for certain offenses.
Most people find it helpful to obtain the services of an attorney to file the necessary documents to obtain an expungement.
There are two main reasons to have your record expunged:
First, If a conviction or arrest has been expunged, it means that a prospective employer or landlord will not find a record of that conviction or arrest in a search of court records or police records.
Second, if a conviction or arrest has been expunged it, means that the law permits you to answer "No" to the question "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" This question is commonly found on employment applications or rental applications, and if your conviction has not been expunged your honest answer will doom your application.
Not all criminal convictions may be expunged. Most sex crimes, for example, may not be expunged. Likewise, most Class A and Class B felony convictions and traffic crimes such as DUII may not be expunged. Most arrests that do not result in a conviction may be expunged regardless of the reason for the arrest.
Waiting periods are required before you file a motion to expunge your conviction. If you have more than one criminal conviction, the waiting period may be longer. Under certain circumstances no waiting period is required before filing a motion to expunge an arrest.
Certain juvenile delinquency adjudications and arrests may also be expunged, but the time limitations are such that it is important to contact an attorney promptly.
It is important to bear in mind that there are numerous private companies that conduct background checks for employers. Some of these companies maintain their own databases, and these data bases may retain records of convictions and arrests even if those convictions and arrests have been expunged from official government records. It is possible to provide these companies with records of expungement and many of them may purge their records even if they are not legally obligated to do so.
It is also important to bear in mind that often an expungement will not seal a record from a government agency conducting a background check for homeland security, immigration or law enforcement employment or other sensitive purposes.
Types of offenses that may be expunged, depending on the severity and other factors, are: Shoplifting, assault, weapons offenses, disorderly conduct, theft, domestic violence, trespassing, burglary, drug crimes, failing to register as a sex offender, interfering with a police officer, resisting arrest and many other crimes.
If you would like to see if your conviction or arrest can be expunged, give Mr. Bowman a call.