Washington County District Attorney's Office

Washington County District Attorney's Office Seeking Justice and Protecting Our Community.

Our office is closed today in observance of Juneteenth. We recently celebrated this important date at the Juneteenth Cel...
06/19/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Juneteenth.

We recently celebrated this important date at the Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

We had a great time meeting community members and sharing the work we do to promote public safety across Washington County!

Jose Manuel Escobar De Loera has been sentenced to 135 months in prison for his role in the armed robberies of several b...
06/16/2026

Jose Manuel Escobar De Loera has been sentenced to 135 months in prison for his role in the armed robberies of several businesses.

The defendant was part of a group that committed coordinated, premeditated armed robberies of at least three Asian-owned businesses in Tigard and Tualatin.

Read more about this case on our website: https://bit.ly/4fJIBt0

District Attorney Kevin Barton was pleased to conduct the swearing-in ceremony for 3rd-year law clerk Wyatt Neff.Wyatt w...
06/16/2026

District Attorney Kevin Barton was pleased to conduct the swearing-in ceremony for 3rd-year law clerk Wyatt Neff.

Wyatt will gain courtroom experience by assisting with lower-level criminal cases.

Welcome to the team!

06/15/2026

Please join us in honoring World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

We recently held the Elder Abuse Forum. Hosted by the Washington County Vulnerable Adults Multidisciplinary Team, this training brought together law enforcement, medical experts, and community groups to learn about elder abuse and how to prevent it.

If you suspect an older adult is being abused or neglected, report it right away. Learn more by visiting our website: https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/da/elder-abuse

06/15/2026

District Attorney Kevin Barton joined Multnomah County DA Nathan Vasquez and Clackamas County DA John Wentworth in calling on state leaders to address serious issues with the Oregon State Hospital.

Watch the full news conference below.

Today, District Attorney Kevin Barton joined Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez and Clackamas County Dist...
06/15/2026

Today, District Attorney Kevin Barton joined Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez and Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth in issuing the following statement:

As the elected district attorneys for Oregon’s three most populous counties, we prosecute over 24,000 cases annually and our combined responsibility is to keep approximately 1.8 million people safe.

We have watched with great frustration as Oregon’s mental health system fails to provide essential treatment and support. The result of this breakdown is visible on our streets and in our criminal justice system.

When this system failure makes headlines, such as the burning of a popular deli or the attempted fire-bombing of an athletic club, it receives attention and generates awareness. Sadly, that attention and awareness have not resulted in meaningful improvement. As a result, Oregonians remain stuck with a broken system.

In the long-running Mink/Bowman case that began in 2002, the federal court issued its most recent order on June 1, 2026. This order overrides Oregon’s democratically enacted laws. It places reckless and ill-conceived limits on who may be admitted to the Oregon State Hospital and how long they may remain for necessary treatment. The practical effect will be to make it impossible to prosecute many defendants for a variety of crimes, including violent and sexual crimes such as r**e and murder, placing our communities at incredible and unacceptable risk. Notwithstanding that risk, the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital took no position on the issuance of the June 1 court order.

The state has failed to establish and maintain a mental health system and a state hospital that meets community needs. The current insufficient system harms individuals who deserve treatment, the victims who deserve justice, and the public who deserve safety.

We therefore call on Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, and Oregon State Hospital Interim Superintendent James Diegel, to take the following action:

1) Mink/Bowman Federal Case
The June 1 federal court order is scheduled to be reviewed by the court later this month to determine whether it remains in place or expires. Rather than continuing to “take no position” we ask that you fully inform the federal court of the public safety and victim safety ramifications of its current order and advocate for that order to be modified to address the concerns.

2) Bed Capacity Increase
The Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Residential+ Facility Study (June 2024) recommended additional bed capacity throughout Oregon’s mental health system, including an additional 486 inpatient psychiatric facility beds. We ask that you develop and implement a concrete plan to meet the increased bed capacity needs in a reasonable period of time.

3) Expand Access to Treatment
To meet the growing community need, the state should support expanding access to mental health treatment at all levels of care. While there have been recent legislative investments in community-based programs and facilities, those programs and facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of Oregon’s most acute and dangerous individuals.

We are willing to partner with the state to identify concrete solutions that will ensure the safety of our communities while also addressing the needs of defendants in need of mental health care. As Oregon’s three most populous counties with criminal caseloads that comprise nearly half of the total state volume, programs we implement can have a statewide impact by reducing the strain on the Oregon State Hospital.

With this message, we are sounding the alarm. We urge Oregon’s leaders to act with urgency to address this ongoing yet solvable problem.

-Kevin Barton, Washington County District Attorney

-Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney

-John Wentworth, Clackamas County District Attorney

In the news: Washington County DA's Office Partners with New Nonprofit Provider to Support Domestic Violence VictimsHILL...
06/04/2026

In the news: Washington County DA's Office Partners with New Nonprofit Provider to Support Domestic Violence Victims

HILLSBORO, Ore- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is partnering with Bridging Horizons, a local nonprofit community organization, to better support victims of domestic violence.

Bridging Horizons was launched in 2023 to help fill gaps in services available for victims of domestic violence. The organization supports survivors of domestic violence by providing financial support throughout the legal process. They have helped cover expenses including rent, vehicle fuel, utilities, groceries, phone bills, moving costs, child care, and other unforeseen costs. The organization has distributed more than $5,000 to 36 victims and their family members.

Bridging Horizons President Sangeeta Khanna works as a Victim Services Specialist in the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. Khanna saw the need to support victims and collaborated with a team of professionals to launch the organization.

"We recognized that survivors often face urgent requirements—such as rent, utility bills, vehicle-related payments, safety equipment, and unexpected expenses—that cannot be resolved quickly enough, said Khanna. “Our mission is to offer immediate, practical support during this critical time, allowing survivors to concentrate on rebuilding their lives and working towards greater stability and independence."

Bridging Horizons is also working with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to host supply closets open to domestic violence survivors. Stocked with toiletries, diapers, clothing, food, and more, these closets serve as a vital resource for crime victims.

“This assistance made a meaningful difference in my stability during a critical time. As someone rebuilding after domestic violence, having support with my car payment helps me maintain reliable transportation for appointments, daily responsibilities, and my continued search for employment,” said a recipient of funding who asked to remain anonymous. “Reducing this financial pressure allows me to stay focused on moving forward and building long-term stability for myself and my family.”

Bridging Horizons relies on the generosity of donors to support crime victims. Visit their website to learn more about supporting this organization: https://www.thebridginghorizons.com/

06/01/2026

There is some very important work being done at the Family Peace Center in Washington County. The Center offers comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Thank you to all of the partner agencies for the work they do to create streamlined, trauma-informed pathways to healing.

Welcome to the team!District Attorney Kevin Barton was pleased to conduct the swearing-in ceremony for our third-year la...
05/29/2026

Welcome to the team!

District Attorney Kevin Barton was pleased to conduct the swearing-in ceremony for our third-year law clerks. These clerks will work to support our attorneys in and out of the courtroom, offering hands-on experience as they prepare for careers in law.

Learn more about our law clerk program by visiting our website: washingtoncountyda.org/da/law-clerks

Address

150 N First Avenue, Suite 300
Hillsboro, OR
97124

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15038468671

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