Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Most residents speak against gas pipeline Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region Criminal charges won't be filed in pedestrian death From social media: the Rogue Valley storm Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region Criminal charges won't be filed in pedestrian death From social media: the Rogue Valley storm UPDATED: Man killed by falling tree while camping near Mount Ashland Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Eagle Point secures perimeter of Table Rock Elementary with new fence Environment Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River Jackson County judge dismisses one Mt. View Paving case State News GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Congress keeps Coast Guard helicopter flying U of O, grad teachers reach deal Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Carolyn Sue Corzine Johnny William James Linda Katherine Heitkamp Mary Louise France Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Linfield unites for fallen teammate Duck star big winner at annual awards show Mariota's Moment Here's insight into new Beaver coach Warriors keep on rolling Varsity 541 College Sports Linfield unites for fallen teammate Duck star big winner at annual awards show Mariota's Moment Here's insight into new Beaver coach Columbia gives No. 1 Kentucky a scare Pro Sports Warriors keep on rolling Wiggins, Wolves stun Blazers 90-82 Bryant's late flurry lifts Lakers Blazers make it five straight Browns make the move, will start Manziel Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Blog: Bear Creek Plaza next up on the market Silvio Calabi: The world loves a Wrangler Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Flu shots less effective this year Jim Brock: We can move beyond torture Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Dana Milbank: Jonathan Gruber's bad day Editorials Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Our View: Making sense of Medford crime numbers Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture Other Views: OSU rape case is a teaching opportunity Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 8 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 7 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Lifestyle Latest stories Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Progress on Prescott Park Gail Ciampa: Cookbook looks at food’s place in Jewish culture, history Religion news: Atheists launch holiday advertising campaign in Deep South Marketta Gregory: There is only one enemy Food Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Roasted vegetables are rich, flavorful Food for Thought: Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy Kitchen Call: Hints for gluten-free holidays Community blog: Merry Christmas 10 Barrel! (Big Brewery vs Small Independent Brewer) Home and Garden Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Dear Monty: When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than the quote Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Health Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Gypsy Soul performs WinterSpring benefit This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Andy McKee plays Rogue Theatre Theater This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Theater review: 'Fiddler' charms audience in magical Camelot performance Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Music Gypsy Soul performs WinterSpring benefit Andy McKee plays Rogue Theatre SOU presents all-percussion concert Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' Community Events Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Dining Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Most residents speak against gas pipeline ... Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire ... Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region ... Most residents speak against gas pipeline ... Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire ... Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region ... OUR VIEW Reversing course: Hoppe for judge MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 18, 2014 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 18, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News In the May primary, we endorsed Adam Peterson to remain in the judgeship to which he was appointed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. In light of more recent events and information we've gathered, we are changing that position and endorsing prosecutor David Hoppe. Both of these men are intelligent and capable, but there is a vast disparity in their experience, and that experience level — or lack of — has raised legitimate questions that ultimately swayed us to Hoppe's side. Hoppe first became a deputy district attorney in 1996 in Klamath County and moved to the Jackson County D.A.'s office in 2000. He has taken on many of the office's toughest duties in this county, has prosecuted hundreds of Measure 11 cases and has spent years handling child abuse and domestic violence cases. He is respected by his peers — including his legal opponents in court — for his thoroughness and competence. He can be a bulldog with a case, and it is that tenacity and focus that convinces us he will be a judge who will leave no stone unturned in seeking the proper result. Peterson, who was with the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for seven years, is 14 years younger than Hoppe and began his legal career nine years later. We praised him in May as a collaborative member of the Jackson County Circuit Court system, and we still believe that. Peterson says he would try to extend that collaboration to include a mental health court in which multiple parties are brought in to find the best solution for dealing with people who otherwise become chronic offenders. That idea is patterned on the existing drug court and makes sense given the number of such cases that clog the system. Peterson has lined up a number of high-profile endorsements, something Hoppe has avoided, believing that it's inappropriate for a judge to have any sense of obligation to people who could one day appear in his court — especially lawyers. And yet, privately, the local lawyers we spoke with said Hoppe's experience makes him the stronger candidate for the job. They like Peterson and bear him no ill-will, but say he simply does not have the track record that's needed to stay on top of all the legal intricacies that can crop up in the cases that come before the bench. At the age of 33 and with a minimal record of trying significant cases, Peterson is doing too much on-the-job training, they say. As further evidence, Hoppe and other lawyers point to a recent murder case that ended in a mistrial when information was incorrectly given to juries. The trial began with Peterson as the presiding judge, but he eventually stepped aside due to concerns over potential conflicts related to his time in the D.A.'s office. It's complicated, but those on the inside say it was mishandled by Peterson throughout. Peterson is at a disadvantage in defending himself as the case is still active, but the view from people who have no particular stake in the case or the race is that he made multiple errors. Hoppe also says Peterson has inflated his resume by referring to the "thousands" of cases he has handled, when many of those cases were juvenile cases that involved very little time and no court time. He notes Peterson's only murder trial as a prosecutor or judge was the one that ended in a mistrial. Peterson accuses Hoppe of dirty campaigning, but the view in much of the legal community is that while Hoppe is being aggressive, he is right. In the end, Hoppe's experience advantage now convinces us that he is the best choice for the job.     MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 18, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501