HERMISTON, Ore. – The Hermiston City Council has decided to transfer all misdemeanor cases from Hermiston Municipal Court to Umatilla County Circuit Court.

This change addresses the ongoing challenges in securing consistent public defense services. The state has faced months of difficulty recruiting qualified defense attorneys due to a shortage of criminal lawyers.

The decision means that all misdemeanor cases cited by the Hermiston Police Department will now be filed and tried in Umatilla County Circuit Court. This shift aims to streamline the process and ensure that defendants receive proper legal representation.

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