DA: 'Oregon's public safety and the rights of crime victims are under threat'

EUGENE, Ore. - The Lane County district attorney intends to testify before a state House committee on a bill that would change how Oregon tries and sentences juveniles accused of crimes - including aggravated murder.

Under Oregon law, people ages 15, 16 or 17 accused of violent crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences under Measure 11 are automatically tried as adults.

Senate Bill 1008A would change that practice, instead requiring a juvenile court to hold a hearing and determine whether an individual defendent should be tried as an adult.

The bill would also prohibit life sentences without parole for juveniles convicted of aggravated murder.

The state Senate approved Bill 1008A by a vote of 20-10 on April 16.

The bill now goes before the House Committee on Judiciary for a 1 p.m. public hearing Wednesday.

In a tweet Tuesday, the Lane County district attorney's office said DA Patty Perlow would testify on the bill Wednesday.

"Oregon's public safety and the rights of crime victims are under threat if it is not stopped," the tweet says.

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