Mike Schmidt has a smarter approach to justice
Mike knows we can dramatically improve the fairness, effectiveness and cost of our criminal justice system.
As District Attorney, Mike Schmidt will make Multnomah County safer by:
Trusting the data. Mike’s goal is to make sure that every sentence is aimed at ensuring public safety by minimizing the chances a defendant will reoffend. Sometimes, that means a long prison sentence. But for many offenders, data tells us that a long incarceration without incentives and access to programming makes reoffending far more likely. Mike will build a data-driven, transparent system of prosecution that relies on local and national research aboutwhat is proven to work in sentencing.
Prioritizing addiction counseling and mental health treatment. Many prosecutors make it a habit to require the defendant to negotiate away their right to treatment while incarcerated. This makes no sense. Mike will never stop defendants from receiving the treatment and services they need to recover, and he will put treatment first whenever possible.
Focusing on violent crimes first. Approximately two-thirds of the cases prosecuted by the Multnomah County DA are misdemeanors. Mike will refocus the resources of the office on violent crimes—like murder, sexual assault, and domestic violence—and look for ways to handle non-violent, low-level cases through alternative avenues.
Supporting common sense gun safety laws. District attorneys can, and should, be a leading voice in the call for gun safety laws nationwide and in Oregon. Mike supports expanding background checks for all gun purchases, and he supports laws that require guns to be stored safely and responsibly.
Not seeking the death penalty. Mike opposes the death penalty and believes it is wrong. It is expensive, inefficient, racially-biased, and does not deter crime. As our next District Attorney, Mike will not seek the death sentence under any circumstances. He believes a lifetime in prison is punishment enough for even the most violent crimes. Read more.
Mike Schmidt has a smarter approach to justice
Mike knows we can dramatically improve the fairness, effectiveness and cost of our criminal justice system.
As District Attorney, Mike Schmidt will make Multnomah County safer by:
Trusting the data, not the stories. Mike’s goal is to make sure that every sentence is aimed at ensuring public safety by minimizing the chances a defendant will reoffend. Sometimes, that means a long prison sentence. But for many offenders, data tells us that a long incarceration without incentives and access to programming makes reoffending far more likely. Mike will build a data-driven, transparent system of prosecution that relies on local and national research about what is proven to work in sentencing.
Prioritizing addiction counseling and mental health treatment. Many prosecutors make it a habit to require the defendant to negotiate away their right to treatment while incarcerated. This makes no sense. Mike will never stop defendants from receiving the treatment and services they need to recover, and he will put treatment first whenever possible.
Focusing on violent crimes first. Approximately two-thirds of the cases prosecuted by the Multnomah County DA are misdemeanors. Mike will refocus the resources of the office on violent crimes—like murder, sexual assault, and domestic violence—and look for ways to handle non-violent, low-level cases through alternative avenues.
Supporting common sense gun safety laws. District attorneys can, and should, be a leading voice in the call for gun safety laws nationwide and in Oregon. Mike supports expanding background checks for all gun purchases, and he supports laws that require guns to be stored safely and responsibly.
Not seeking the death penalty. Mike opposes the death penalty and believes it is wrong. It is expensive, inefficient, racially-biased, and does not deter crime. As our next District Attorney, Mike will not seek the death sentence under any circumstances. He believes a lifetime in prison is punishment enough for even the most violent crimes. Read more.