Peter Klym
Candidate for:
Multnomah County Circuit Court - Position 12
What drives me to seek an elected position
I have been a dedicated public servant since graduating Georgetown Law as a Public Interest Law Scholar. I have represented hundreds of individuals at the trial court and hundreds more in the Oregon Court of Appeals. I am running for Circuit Court Judge, Position 12, because I know first-hand how busy the Multnomah County Courthouse is and how the diligence of judges can help ease the strain on the overworked DA and public defender offices by efficiently handling dockets, encouraging pre-trial settlements where appropriate and managing trials effectively.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
First, I would begin diligently working through the large backlog of matters pending before Department 12. Getting this work done will increase access to justice to parties that need to come before the court and get prompt consideration of their matters. No one should be waiting years for a motion to be decided.
Second, I would prioritize fostering an environment that treats respect as a two-way street. A judge is usually afforded great respect by the parties appearing before them, but it is important for the judge not to take that for granted. Respect is earned by respecting others—not by being elected to public office.
Third, I would support an alternative docket for criminal matters if both the victim and defendant agree to a restorative justice process. Restorative justice is not appropriate for every case, but when it is, it can create better outcomes for everyone involved while also conserving state resources for the cases that need it.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
My experience working as both an appellate and trial level public defender make me particularly well-suited to the role of a circuit court judge.
My work in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court consists of reviewing circuit court transcripts from across the state to identify and try to correct errors made by trial judges. This experience will help me minimize the types of errors that result in cases being sent back to be re-tried—further straining our local court resources. Although every judge will make mistakes due to the nature of the job, I am prepared to avoid many of the more common reversible errors.
My work representing over 500 individual clients in thousands of hearings and dozens of trials in the Multnomah County Circuit Court means I understand the demands of that courthouse and what it takes to work through a heavy docket while ensuring individual’s rights are respected.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
Due to this being a nonpartisan position, answering this question would be inappropriate.
However, I can mention that some of my legal experience includes fighting for voting rights in Alabama and Colorado. It also includes voter protection work in Minnesota for an unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2016. I believe in the electoral process and in respecting every individual, no matter their background, orientation or belief system.