The Oregon Senate Democrat Majority are claiming a victory in a 28 to 1 bipartisan vote on Senate Bill 1191. “Oregonians can inform others of their constitutional and civil rights without being guilty of interfering with law enforcement.” The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator James Manning Jr.(D-Eugene/Springfield) and Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Albany)

Democrats released this statement: “Rights granted in the United States Constitution and the Oregon Constitution include freedoms of speech and association along with rights to due process and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.” If the constitution already contains these rights, then what is the necessity of this bill? Could it be that the courts have gone rogue? And what about Second Amendment protections against “unreasonable searches and seizures” absent in SB 243, SB 3075 and SB 3076?

Under Senate Bill 1191, telling people about these rights does not qualify as the crimes of obstructing government and judicial processes or preventing law enforcement from performing their duties. However, the bill lacks where to draw the line of when vocal instruction becomes an obstruction. Does screaming in the face of an officer the advice to a detainee cross the line?

The Senate, according to the Democrats, acted on the bill knowing the federal administration has boasted about deploying law enforcement to punish political opposition. This presumption is mal-information, a false statement to bolster their position. The federal administration has repeatedly stated, they will only seek out criminal activity. To interpret that as punishing political opposition” is false.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

“If you see someone being questioned, it’s okay to say, ‘Hey you have the right to an attorney,’” said Senator James I. Manning, Jr (D – Eugene, Elmira & Veneta), chief sponsor of the measure. “It’s not against the law as long as no one physically intervenes. Free speech is what this is about, and we need to defend it against growing threats.”

We’ve all heard of “ambulance chasers”. Those people have a legitimate license. This bill opens the door for illegitimate chasers, no license required. In Oregon, it isn’t just interfering with judicial administration, it’s the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) can also include impersonating a lawyer providing advice, even if the person is not charging for their services. Federal law forbids unauthorized immigration consultants or "notarios" who provide immigration advice on specific situations can be prosecuted under federal law.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-04-20 19:48:19

Last Update: 2025-04-20 20:58:30