HILLSBORO, Ore.- Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton recently joined Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth in voicing his support for Measure 11, Oregon’s violent crime mandatory minimum sentencing law.

The pair submitted an opinion piece to The Oregonian in which they urge lawmakers not to make drastic changes to the law. Measure 11 was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 1994 and reaffirmed by voters once again in 2000 with a 73% approval rate.

Measure 11 provides reasonable and uniform minimum prison sentences for Oregon’s most violent crimes. It is a law proposed by the people – not prosecutors or politicians – in response to a justice system in need of reform because it failed to protect crime victims and the public.

The Oregon District Attorney's Association, which represents elected district attorneys across Oregon, also reaffirmed its support for Measure 11. ODAA issued this press release and provided this informational packet to support its arguments.