Elder Abuse crimes include financial crimes committed by caregivers and family members.

Deschutes County has a recognized drug prevention problem, with high levels of recidivism and, until
recently, a traditional prosecutorial strategy. In trying to understand the broader context of community
safety, the District Attorney’s office identified both a challenge and an opportunity in drug-related offense

On November 9, 2020, the District Attorney’s Office launched the Veterans Intervention Strategy (VIS). The VIS is a Deschutes County specific program, designed to provide local justice-involved veterans with the opportunity to improve their criminal justice outcomes by helping them address their mental health illnesses and/or substance use disorders that have played a role in their criminal activity.

The VIS is a voluntary inter-agency program for veterans that requires the expertise and compassion of staff from the DA’s Office, the Central Oregon Vet Center, public defenders, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and Community Justice, along with critical support from other community stakeholders that offer an array of veteran-specific services and resources.

The Emerging Adult Program (EAP) is a restorative, pre-charge diversion program for young adults to improve criminal justice outcomes.

The EAP is designed to help young adult offenders (18-24 year olds) earn a no-file on a recent criminal charge by participating in a community facilitator-led restorative justice circle. It is a voluntary program that requires the young adults to accept responsibility for their actions, but offers them the opportunity to redirect their lives by completing a personalized accountability plan that has them amend for their crime, access local services and resources, and engage in the community.

In 2018, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 1544, which provides financial support to rural counties to assist them in addressing the illegal cannabis market in their communities.

The CannaFacts website is designed to be a one-stop resource for general information on current cannabis laws and regulations relevant to the general public in Deschutes County, Oregon.

Even though recreational cannabis is legal in the state of Oregon, some cannabis-related activities are still illegal and can subject a person to arrest. Although most people engage in legal activity, illegal activity is still occurring. Some illegal activity is serious and dangerous, and has a negative impact on not only our community’s safety and health but also legal recreational cannabis businesses.