To preserve neutrality in court rulings, to prevent harassment in high-profile cases, and to keep the focus on the legal concerns, newspapers may refrain from publishing the names of judges. However, in March 2024, a judge set extremely low bail for a twice-convicted sex offender accused of a third sex crime, this time against a 13-year-old girl (Portland man accused of raping 13-year-old douses woman with gasoline, threatens to kill her, prosecutors say, Nov. 15). The Oregonian/OregonLive did a huge disservice to the voting public by failing to publish the name of the judge. I think it’s obvious that the accused shouldn’t have been released on bond in order to allegedly conduct other crimes.
In a recent lead item on sex trafficking, The Oregonian did not hesitate to name some Oregon Department of Human Services employees (Oregon teen repeatedly sex trafficked). How she was let down by the foster system, Nov. 11. Since voters elect these judges, the court system should also follow this approach.
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