Not every Oregonian has regular interaction with the criminal justice system, but all people need to understand the basics of how it works and how they could be affected.

“The 21st Century Evolution of Criminal Justice in Oregon” is a free public discussion held 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Gresham Room at Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. Part of the “Big Ideas” program series, it is presented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Ashland Branch and Jackson County Library Services.

Former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia is the guest speaker. Focusing on the areas of search and seizure, evidence and sentencing, Judge Mejia will discuss major changes in statutory and case law over the past 35 years.

Judge Mejia moved to Jackson County in 1988 to take a job with Jackson County Public Defenders. He worked as a court-appointed attorney for just over 13 years. In 2002 he was appointed Circuit Court Judge by then-Governor John Kitzhaber, and he retired from the bench at the end of 2022.

Most of Judge Mejia’s work as an attorney and a judge was in criminal law. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oregon and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon School of Law.

Questions? Contact AAUW “Big Ideas” coordinator Marilyn Hawkins, 541-708-6697, mhawkins@prhawk.com; or Ellie Anderson, Ashland Library, 541-774-6896, EAnderson@jcls.org.

2023-2024 “Big Ideas” Schedule
November 7 The 21st Century Evolution of Criminal Justice in Oregon
January 2 Our Affordable Housing Challenge
February 6 Get to Know BASE (Black Alliance & Social Empowerment)
March 5 The Power of Public Art