The District Attorney’s Office mission is to seek justice, ensuring that the guilty are held accountable, that the innocent are protected from unwarranted harm, and that the rights of all citizens, particularly victims of crime, are respected.

As a victim of a crime, you may find the criminal justice system confusing and frustrating. This information is provided to assist crime victims in understanding some of the steps a case may take in the criminal justice system. The following is only an outline; please remember that each case is unique.

As a crime victim in Oregon, you have legal rights. Many of these rights go into effect automatically and can be found in the "Victims' Rights Guide. (Oregon Constitution Article 1, Section 42-Rights of victims in criminal prosecutions and juvenile court delinquency proceedings). When a case is charged (filed in criminal court) you must request some rights before they go into effect. The rights listed below are the ones that must be requested. A victim, the victim's attorney or if the victim requests, the (deputy) District Attorney at his/her discretion, may assert and enforce these rights on the victims behalf [Oregon Constitution Art. 1, Sec. 42(4)].

If you change your mind and decide that you do want to exercise rights that you didn't yet request, please contact us at the number below and we will work with you to exercise the rights if that is still possible.

The District Attorney's Office may require your participation if your case goes to trial even if you do not wish to receive additional information about the rights or to exercise them.

If you would like to request rights please download a Victim Rights Notificaion form by clicking here - after printing the form, check the box in front of any of the rights you are requesting then return the form immediately to: Victims’ Assistance, 1164 NW Bond St., Bend, OR 97701 or fax to 541-330-4698, email victimsassistance@dcda.us or call 541-388-6525.

There are 3 types of juvenile matters: (1) dependency proceedings; (2) termination of parental rights proceedings, (which are described in ORS Chapter 419B) and; (3) delinquency cases, (which are described in ORS Chapter 419C). When a youth is taken into custody by the police and taken to the juvenile detention facility, a report will be written and submitted to the juvenile department, (ORS 419B.171 and ORS 419C.106).

The Juvenile Unit is responsible for litigating dependency petitions, representing the Department of Human Services (DHS) in proceedings to terminate parental rights, and determining appropriate ways to proceed in delinquency cases, which may include prosecution in the juvenile justice system.

Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings
The Juvenile Unit protects children who are at risk of harm by litigating dependency petitions intended to restore the ability of parents to appropriately care for their children. In the event that the ability of parents to care for their children cannot be restored in a reasonable time period, the juvenile unit will represent DHS in a proceeding to terminate parental rights.

Although there is a strong preference that children live in their own homes with their own families, the state recognizes that it is not always possible. In cases where children have been abused or neglected and are unable to be reunited with their parents or guardians the State of Oregon has the obligation to provide an alternative, safe, and permanent home for the child. ORS 419B.090(5).