How do we restore a sense of safety in Portland? Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt | EP 108

Mike Schmidt is an accomplished attorney and public servant currently serving as the District Attorney of Oregon. With a strong commitment to justice and fairness, Schmidt has made significant contributions to the legal system throughout his career.

Born and raised in Oregon, he possesses an intimate understanding of the community's needs and has dedicated himself to creating a safer and more equitable society. Having earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School, where he developed a deep passion for criminal justice reform, Schmidt recognized the systemic flaws within the legal system and sought to address them through innovative approaches and progressive policies. Before assuming the role of District Attorney, Mike was a TFA teacher in New Orleans, and then worked as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office before staffing the Judiciary Committee, and becoming the Executive Director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. This experience provided him with invaluable insight into the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and the pressing need for criminal justice reform.

As the District Attorney of Oregon, Schmidt has spearheaded a groundbreaking approach to criminal justice that emphasizes restorative justice and community engagement. He understands that the traditional punitive methods of prosecution often perpetuate cycles of crime and fail to address the underlying causes. Instead, Schmidt seeks to implement programs that prioritize rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and giving individuals the opportunity to reintegrate into society successfully.

Schmidt has actively worked towards fostering trust and transparency between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, and has implemented measures to increase police accountability, promote racial equity, and minimize the unjust targeting and prosecution of marginalized communities, and is recognized as a progressive leader within the legal community.

to learn more about his campaign for 2024 visit: https://mikeschmidtforda.com/