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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2021)
ANDREW CUTLER Publisher/Editor KATHRYN B. BROWN Owner ERICK PETERSON Hermiston Editor/Senior Reporter TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 A4 Founded October 16, 1875 OUR VIEW We must not forget our brave veterans V eterans Day rolls around every year and for a 24-hour period — or even less for some — we collectively push our thoughts to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. There will be fitting ceremonies to mark the day. Bugles will blow, flags will be raised and salutes presented. Then the day will be over. Yet, even as the last chords of the bugle fade on Veterans Day, we all should remember throughout the year the great sacrifices made by those who served for our nation. We cannot mark Veterans Day without at least considering and trying to understand the cost war delivers for those who serve, from urban households to rural homesteads. And we cannot ignore the bravery and gallantry of the men and women who fought for our nation on some foreign shore. These great men and women, whom we justly celebrate on Nov. 11, joined to serve for a variety of reasons, including lofty ideals that resonate from the dusty cham- bers where our founders pounded out the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. These men and women we praise today continue to etch a legacy of what America is supposed to stand for. These warriors in the uniforms of our armed forces created a vast inheritance for the rest of us to enjoy and live up to. One day, perhaps, war will not exist. We sure hope so. Until that time, though, there will be the need to preserve freedom in places across the globe and there will be a cost and a risk to sustaining democracy. We cannot shrink from that obligation. So, on Veterans Day, we should remem- ber, if only for a moment, the sacrifice made by so many for so long so that many of us can enjoy the very freedoms we count on and expect. We must acknowledge there is no way we can repay those who, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, “gave the last full measure of devotion” to this republic, and we must acknowledge the great many who served and came home different from when they left their families and friends, and those bound to that end. The only feasible method for appreci- ation is, on this day, to remember, if only for a moment, those who work to defend our freedom. Their sacrifice, their blood and sweat and even lives are woven into the blanket of democracy that covers these United States. Our debt to them will forever remain unpaid. And we must not forget them. ON VETERANS DAY, WE SHOULD REMEMBER, IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT, THE SACRIFICE MADE BY SO MANY FOR SO LONG SO THAT MANY OF US CAN ENJOY THE VERY FREEDOMS WE COUNT ON AND EXPECT. Understanding how ‘bail’ works in Oregon BLAINE CLOOTEN ASK AN ATTORNEY Q : What is bail? Who is allowed to pay it? What does a bail bondsman do? A: This is a frequently asked crim- inal law question, and important to understand. In Oregon, “bail” is a method for ensuring a criminal defen- dant’s compliance with conditions of release, such as: making future court appearances, abiding by no contact orders, abstaining from intoxicants, not purchasing or possessing firearms during the pendency of a case, not leav- ing the state of Oregon, notifying the court of future address changes and any other similar conditions that the court might impose, depending on the case. Most states use the traditional bail method, which means you would need a bail bondsman to help post “bond” in a criminal case. When most people think of bail, they undoubtedly picture a bail bondsman. Think, “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” Only Wisconsin, Kentucky and Illinois, along with Oregon, do not allow bail bonds. Oregon does have bail, but technically it is “security release” more than it is “bail.” Oregon Revised Statue (ORS) 135.265 Security Release governs the terms (rules) of security in cases where the judge has set bail. Posting secu- rity is known informally as “release on bail.” The defendant then executes a security release in the amount set by the judge. The difference in Oregon compared to other states is that only 10% of the security amount must be posted to qualify for the release. EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East Oregonian. LETTERS The East Oregonian welcomes Here are some things to consider before posting security release for your- self or another person: • The court will automatically keep 15% of the security release posted (not less than $5 and not more than $750). • The court will, unless otherwise ordered, apply the security release deposit to any financial obligations on the case to which it was posted, and any other financial obligations the defendant owes within the State of Oregon, includ- ing child support arrears. • If the defendant fails to appear at the next scheduled court hearing, the court may order forfeiture of the entire security release posted, as well as a security judgment for the full amount of the ordered security release. Example: Judge orders $10,000 secu- rity release, 10% posted is $1,000 for defendant’s release. If a security judg- ment is imposed, the payee will be responsible for the full amount of the $10,000. • Refunds are disbursed to the person posting the bail once the case is closed or exonerated and will be mailed to the address listed on the bail receipt. If a change of address is needed, a written request must be submitted to the court by the person posting the bail. • If bail funds are deposited in the Inmates Trust Account by anyone other than the defendant, and the defendant self-bails, a refund will be issued to the defendant — not the person depositing the funds in the account. • The state is not required to refund bail posted. Once posted, the state will go through its process in applying funds anywhere else, before being returned to the defendant. If you are facing any stage of a crimi- nal proceeding, it is best to have counsel representing you. It may be possible for your attorney to reduce or eliminate the need to post security to ensure a defen- dant’s release from custody. Q: What are the disadvantages of getting a payday loan? A: This is a crucial question. I’ve filed over 80 bankruptcies on behalf of folks in Umatilla County. In my expe- rience, most people facing bankruptcy have taken a payday loan to make ends meet. We are living in challenging times, and money is often tight. Most Amer- icans are now living paycheck to paycheck. When you’re counting every dollar just to get by, even a minor increase in expenses can completely derail your budget. This is where payday loans come in. The terms seem manageable. You may feel out of options. I’m in so deep, what can this one more bill hurt? It’s better than being evicted, right? In your case, you might survive, pay off the terms, and remain cash flow positive. But in many instances, this bandage is the beginning of the end. Once you start payday loans, you keep going back. You need that cash to make other ends meet, and the cycle gets worse and worse. As an attorney, I am strictly prohib- ited from giving financial advice. But, if you are considering a payday loan, I can tell you to talk to an attorney about bankruptcy, an accountant about book- keeping, or a financial advisor about investments. ——— Blaine Clooten is an attorney at law, serving Umatilla County with a focus on family law, estate planning and personal injury cases. Questions answered do not create an attorney-client relationship. Facts and law may vary; please talk to an attorney for more information. original letters of 400 words or less on public issues and public policies for publication in the newspaper and on our website. The newspaper reserves the right to withhold letters that address concerns about individual services and products or letters that infringe on the rights of private citizens. Letters must be signed by the author and include the city of residence and a daytime phone number. The phone number will not be published. Unsigned letters will not be published. SEND LETTERS TO: editor@eastoregonian.com, or via mail to Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801