So you, or someone you know,
is being charged with a crime in Oregon.
We’ re sorry to hear about that,
but you all are not alone. We can help!
The biggest problem you’re likely facing is the lack of legal knowledge and information. The “system” is filled with judges, clerks, and attorneys that all speak legal jargon that makes no sense to the average person; yet those charged with a crime in Oregon are expected to instantly understand EVERYTHING.
We here at OLMEP.org have a lot of experience, knowledge, and tools to help you throughout this process.
Let’s get started!
“How to Win Your Case In Oregon” Workbook Series
We have a one-of-a-kind workbook series entitled; “How to Win Your Case in Oregon“.
This series is five workbooks and two journal for a total of over 600 pages of resources.
Please see below for an exhaustive discussion about this useful series below.
Legal Research Materials
Much about Oregon law is found in resource books. Trying to find the correct resource books, at a reasonable prices, is no easy task (many legal reference books sell for $300 for one book). We here at OLMEP.org have made these resource books available at reasonable rates to send into the jail because getting time in the jail’s law library is difficult.
By having these resources sent into them, they can fully utilize the many hours of down-time for legal research and case preparation as they work with their attorney for the best possible outcome.
Consulting Services
OLMEP.org staff have been working on Oregon criminal cases since 2004.
Please feel free to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation. We would be happy to talk with you.
Also, see the site’s next web page entitled; “Consulting Services” to learn about the different ways a consultant (a coach) can help.
Clerical Services
OLMEP.ORG staff provides limited legal & financial clerical services for tasks including:
✓ Discretely notifying employers, clients or customers of your unavailability
✓ With a “Limited Power of Attorney” OLMEP.ORG staff can handle very specific tasks including: closing bank accounts, selling assets, closing or suspending online accounts
✓ In the event of a dire financial need or a long prison sentence, OLMEP.ORG is able to sell property or assets at a reasonable consignment rate to ensure maximum liquidation dollars.
Special Services
Many people find themselves unexpectedly incarcerated and need a little help to get their affairs in order while they fight their case. We here at OLMEP.ORG are sensitive to these needs and offer reasonable rates to handle urgent personal tasks like:
✓ Packing up, inventorying and storing your personal property
✓ Vehicle moving and storage
As well as appraising and selling personal property to raise immediate funds.
We Stand Ready to Help
Our staff is prepared and ready to help you with most any concern or task you need assistance with. Please use the e-mail form below to fill us in on your particular circumstances or give a phone call at the number listed below.
Either way, we’d be happy to hear from you.
We have created an incredible one of a kind workbook series for those facing charges in Oregon
Let’s take a look at the value you’re getting with the 7 workbook set (nearly 1000 pages) that are customized to each individual:
Workbook 1: Pretrial Preparations
PRELIMINARY ISSUES:
We discuss many issues that will inform the reader about the bizarre, Alice-in-Wonderland world they have found themselves in when facing a crime in Oregon. Those topics include:
· The essential need to keep quiet. “SHUT UP”!
· How to cope with your emotions during these challenging times.
· The daunting power of the State, District Attorney, and prosecution.
· Refuting myths (that get people in trouble) on Oregon’s judicial system.
· The need to journal Instant Event/s and attorney correspondence.
· Much needed/useful resource materials you should consider acquiring.
· Surviving jail life and much, much more…
A JOURNEY THROUGH OREGON’S PRECONVICTION PROCESS
Next, the workbook discusses 15+ preliminary procedures that you will need to consider as you navigate this preconviction process. Many sections include worksheets to apply your particular circumstances to applicable stages. These procedures include:
* How Charges Are Brought In Oregon
* Arraignments
* Appointment of Counsel
* Pleadings
* Release Hearing Options
* Demurrers To Indictments
* Change Of Venue Options
* Confession And Statement Suppression
* Discovery Rules Discussed
* Alibi Defense Considerations
* Improper ID Procedures
* Challenging Illegally Acquired Evidence
* Your Rights To An Omnibus Hearing
* Much, Much More…
ANALYZING THE STATE’S CASE AGAINST YOU
Utilizing many worksheets, we discuss how to analyze every piece of State’s evidence, including tangible, testimonial, and expert evidence. Applying Oregon evidence laws, we show you how to evaluate, dissect, scrutinize, and challenge everything to discredit, refute, mitigate, and even eliminate each piece of the State’s evidence.
DEVELOPING DEFENSE’S CASE
(For a Better Plea Deal or Successful Trial)
Now the workbook shifts gears to develop all possible evidences needed to cultivate your best possible defense. Utilizing worksheets you’ll be challenged to develop your own tangible, testimonial and expert/scientific evidences to acquire the best possible plea offer or to prepare for victory at trial.
Workbook 2 – Plea Deals: Information & Options
Oregon’s plea agreement process is heavily laden with complexities and traps that can make it difficult to successfully navigate. Even the most intelligent, educated and experienced person is ill-suited for a solo journey in these dangerous and fateful waters! Why do you think the rich, famous and powerful always use top-notch, well-known defense lawyers when they are accused of a criminal act? Do you think your public defender will get you a great plea deal? That won’t happen without a lot of effort and work on your part. To empower you to do your part, we here at OLMEP.org have developed simple step-by-instructions.
Whether you’re guilty, innocent, or somewhere in-between, you should research and understand all the plea agreement options that might be available to you. You have absolutely nothing to lose by working with your attorney to zealously pursue the best possible plea offer. Even if you’re dead-set on accepting a plea-offer there is often no reason to rush to do so, and many advantages to learning about the State’s case against you and presenting an appearance that you’re preparing for trial.
Remember that district attorneys and the State don’t want full-blown jury trials because they are very expensive and sometimes end-up with “not-guilty” (acquittal) verdicts. Before you make a decision to take your case to trial, it is imperative you come to terms with the sobering fact the State’s district attorneys boast a staggering 97% success rate at trials! Court rules, judges, and our media-saturated culture all heavily benefit prosecution.
“Plea bargains” are contractual agreements made between an individual and the county’s district attorney, who represents the people of Oregon. In this agreement both sides agree to offer concessions to avoid a costly public trial. The DA and State have vast power, including the authority to suspend charges and offer probation, or even drop charges. However, the State will require a great deal from you as part of the compromise.
The topics covered in Book #2 include:
➢ Oregon’s plea negotiations process explained
➢ A systematic tutorial of the plea deal process
➢ The different types of plea deals (open-sentencing vs. stipulated)
➢ The difference between types of guilty pleas
➢ Rules on similarly situated defendant
➢ Plea negotiation traps to watch-out for (there is a lot of them)
➢ How plea negotiations are NOT admissible in the event of a trial.
➢ Each party’s role during plea negotiations – you, attorney, DA & judge
➢ How aggravating and mitigating factors work and effect your case
➢ How your appeal rights are severely restricted if you take deal
➢ How the plea agreement is legally binding on you and the State.
Workbook 3 — Strategies for Victory at Trial
There are few things more serious in life than facing a criminal trial with your freedom, and possibly life, on the line. OLMEP.org is committed to empowering you to make the best possible decisions at every stage of trial. Being aware and understanding all your rights with the associated risks throughout the process is the best way to make your best choices during this part of the judicial process as you work with your attorney.
Criminal trials are incredibly complex!!! Watching your own trial, jam-packed with hard-to-follow legalese can be incredibly terrifying unless you understand, and have some say in what is happening. Entire libraries, years of classes and decades practicing law have been dedicated to the various theories and applied strategies of each step of the criminal trial process. We here at OLMEP.org simply desire to impress upon the reader the benefits of understanding and participating in the judicial process to make the best possible choices including the following:
▪ A discussion on developing a successful trial strategy with your attorney
▪ A guide and workbook to prepare and present witnesses and evidence
▪ A section on exercising your apparel and non-restraint rights at trial
▪ Methods to insure adequate time with your attorney throughout trial.
▪ An explanation of the objection process to secure your appeal rights
▪ An explanation of differences between bench (judge) trials and jury trials
▪ Instructions about the importance of ensuring your rights aren’t violated
▪ Coverage of each of the stages of trial proceedings including:
❖ Final issues in pretrial hearing
❖ Jury selection processes (voir dire)
❖ Opening Statements (Courts, DA and your defense counsel)
❖ An explanation of the power of the prosecution’s case-in-chief
❖ The defense’s case presented (a discussion of your right to testify)
❖ Closing arguments: prosecution, your turn, their turn again!
❖ Jury instructions and verdict forms
❖ A discussion on the verdict and polling issues
❖ A look at your options including retrials and new trials
❖ Information about your direct appeal rights and time limitations
There is certainly a lot to learn and discuss with your attorney before, and during every stage of your trial. It’s up to you to become as informed as possible to ensure your rights are fully redeemed. Remember; you are your best advocate!
Workbook 4 Understanding Oregon’s Sentencing Laws
Oregon’s hodgepodge of antiquated and complex sentencing guidelines have evolved to a series of overlapping statutes, matrix sentences, administrative rules, and referendums.
In its current form it is a monster that routinely devours those that find themselves helpless within its grasp. At OLMEP.org, we have created a workbook to empower and arm you to fight this ugly beast while sustaining minimal damage to yourself.
The topics in OLMEP.org’s Workbook 4 includes the following:
· A discussion of Oregon’s Pre-sentencing Investigation Report (PSI)
· A discussion of Oregon’s 1989 Sentencing Matrix System
➢ The 200% And 400% Rules
➢ The “Shift-To-I” Rule
· An guide to understanding Oregon’s statutory maximums for sentences
· A discussion of mitigating and aggravating factors
· An explanation of ORS Chapter 137, Oregon’s mandatory sentences:
o A discussion of Measure 11 Crimes (and how to avoid them)
o Repeat sex offenders (some lifetime sentences)
o Repeat drug offenders
o Repeat property crime offenders
· Oregon’s sentencing Administrative Rules (OAR) affecting sentencing
· A guide to Oregon’s sentencing guidelines
*(Concurrent vs. Consecutive sentences)
· A discussion of merging convictions & sentences
· Understanding the financial consequences of your conviction
❖ Understanding the fines, fees and restitution Laws
❖ An explanation of Oregon’s Victims’ Fund
· A discussion of Oregon’s probation and post-prison supervision.
At OLMEP.org, we empathize with the horror that you find yourself in having to consider sentencing laws and protocols. No doubt, it has been a long and hard-fought battle. We appreciate all your efforts and want to help you understand the sentencing regulations to secure the best possible outcome when sentencing occurs. We look forward to working together with you and your defense counsel to incur the shortest possible sentence.
HOW TO WORK WITH AND MOTIVATE YOUR ATTORNEY
The average public defender in Oregon is overburdened with cases and underpaid compared to their counterparts in the DA’s office. We here at OLMEP.org understand the absolute need to work with your attorney on all fronts raised throughout the workbooks. We provide strategies and suggestions on how to successfully work with your attorney. Unfortunately, sometimes those action plans fail and there arises a need to take further action including:
MOTIVATING YOUR DEFENSE ATTORNEY: We’ve included tried-and-true tactics and strategies to help motivate your attorney to act on your behalf should you find yourself at odds with his/her performances. This includes information about The Oregon State Bar that oversees every attorney in the State and their Professional Code of Conduct. Also included is a list of your attorney’s duties at each stage of the process and a letter template for your use.
MEETING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY ACTION PLAN WORKSHEETS: You have limited time to meet and talk with your attorney. These worksheets will help you focus your ideas and thoughts prior to the meeting and ensure you have clear and concise timelines to get things done.
LEGAL DICTIONARY: We’ve included a legal dictionary of the 300 most used legal terms.
JOURNALS
As we discuss many times throughout our workbooks the need to journal many things. This is important for case preparation, keeping current with events at home and mostly for sanity reasons by keeping physically fit and mentally well grounded.
Each journal is 100 pages (50 pages double sided) in a convenient size for use on the yard or on the phones. Journals include:
– Physical Fitness Journal
– Journal Legal Correspondence
