A new face for justice in Washington County

By Teresa Kohl of Forest Grove, Oregon. Teresa is a Community Service Officer for the Forest Grove Police Department and a Court Certified Volunteer Mediator for Washington County Courts and the Justice Court. She is a peace keeper, a mother, and a community advocate passionate about changing the negative impacts on our youth. Learn more about her candidacy at TeresaKohl.com

In the middle of Washington County, flanked by the Elections Office and a Sheriff’s Office sits our Justice Court. Many people don’t seem to realize this court exists unless they’ve been cited to appear for a traffic offense or want to be married by the Justice of the Peace. But the Justice Court has quite a history.

Years ago, the first Legislature of the Oregon Territory provided a process for the voters in each precinct to elect at least one Justice. The precincts were much larger and the criminal jurisdiction of the Justices of the Peace was limited to assault and battery (the typical barroom brawl) and a list of specific crimes. In 1857, the current Oregon Constitution was drafted and it specifically provided for justice, circuit, and municipal courts. Justices of the Peace were not required to have formal legal training or to be lawyers. That concept remains the law today.

Thirty justices currently administer in nineteen counties. Of those, more than half are not attorneys. A Justice of the Peace must be a United States citizen, a resident of Oregon for three years, and a resident of the district for one year prior to becoming a candidate. Justices are elected to a six year term in a non-partisan election.

In Washington County there has not been a contested race for Justice of the Peace in over 20 years. This year, voters have an opportunity to make a difference by voting in the May 18th Primary Election. This will be the deciding election for Justice of the Peace.

Our Justice Court will process more that 24,000 citations this year and as many as 900 small claims and FED (eviction) cases will be mediated or heard at trial. It also has jurisdictions over various boating, wildlife, and other violations that occur in the county.

Many of our young people wind up in this court for their first traffic violation. My daughter did and it was followed with three more visits before she was 20. Like my daughter, too often it is not the last time our young offenders will be in a courtroom. And sadly, for some, they will not live to see their 21st birthday.

Statistics in every publication I have researched cite car crashes as the number one killer of our young people aged 15 to 20. How and when we intervene is critical with our youth today. The intervention process must start earlier. This court can be part of the solution. I am passionate about helping youth and their parents “get it”. I am just as determined to allow all citizens a voice in this court. Win or lose, everyone will be heard and the law will be fairly upheld.

I have over ten years experience as a court certified volunteer mediator for the Circuit Court and five years with the Justice Court. For the past two years I have been a Community Service Officer for the city of Forest Grove. My position deals with code enforcement for parking, abandoned vehicles, crime prevention and safety education. And for over twenty years I have done community outreach for a number of critical causes.

I have passion, knowledge, experience and the desire to make a difference where it counts in this court. And I have a wealth of informed, credentialed Washington County professionals with existing programs to draw upon to bring this court back to life in our community. Within this court we must inform, educate, and enlighten our citizens as we diligently uphold the law.

The Justice Court may be the first stop for many but I will dedicate myself to making it their last stop in the judicial system.

I have received endorsements from Governor Vic Atiyeh, Commissioner of Labor Brad Avakian, the Washington County Democratic Party, Lupita Maurer, Karen Packer, Sabino Sardineta, Executive Director of the Centro Cultural of Wahington County and other concerned citizens and small business owners.

I’ve always been an advocate for people. I’m a peacekeeper, a mother, Community Service Officer, and a mediator. I will dedicate myself to giving citizens a voice, win or lose both sides will be heard and the law applied.

I ask for your vote for Washington County Justice of the Peace. This race will be decided in the May 18th Primary Election.