A Jackson County Circuit Court judge who was previously disqualified from hearing local criminal cases is running for his second term against an attorney who works for Jackson County.

David Orr, who has served as a judge since 2020, is running in the May 21 primary against Johan Pietila, senior assistant counsel for the county.

In written responses to questions submitted by the Rogue Valley Times, Orr and Pietila said that when it comes to deciding cases they would be fair and impartial — attributes that have emerged as a campaign issue.

That is because Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Benjamin Bloom, who is running unopposed, signed an order rescinding a prior presiding judge’s 2021 order disqualifying Orr from hearing criminal matters, which occurred at the request of Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert. Bloom cited Senate Bill 807, which changes judicial recusal procedures, as the basis for signing the order.

On Monday, Heckert launched a broadside at Orr and Bloom, alleging in a news release that the previous order was vacated for “political reasons.” Heckert said she believes Orr and Bloom violated the judicial code of conduct and that she would file complaints against the men, which will be reviewed by the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability.

David Orr

Before becoming a judge, Orr was a deputy district attorney and deputy public defender in Jackson County. He said voters should consider those experiences, as well as his last five years on the bench, when they cast their ballot.

“I will use this experience and knowledge to continue my service to the public,” Orr said. “As a judge, I have insisted on transparency of operations from government entities. I rule on all cases impartially, regardless of the stature or position of the parties appearing before me.”

Orr declined to answer questions about Bloom’s order, but issued a written statement accusing district attorneys throughout the state of “abusing the recusal process to cherry-pick judges.” Orr said this allowed district attorneys to “override the will of the voters who elected the judge to office.”

The judge said, now that district attorneys must demonstrate a reason for a recusal, per SB 807, “I will continue to require accountability from all parties appearing before me, regardless of who that party may be.”

Orr’s priorities, if re-elected, include working to keep the courts free from political influence.

“My record of decisions has demonstrated this commitment,” Orr said.

Acknowledging the increasing number of defendants who can’t get a lawyer, Orr said he will also prioritize setting legal procedures “in a way that is accessible and understandable to unrepresented parties.”

Orr’s third priority would be interpreting laws in a way that preserves and maximizes constitutional rights and freedoms.

“In the decisions that I make, I strive to ensure that neither the court nor the government overreach their authority over the lives of citizens,” Orr said.

Orr contrasted himself with Pietila by saying he has more experience and also does not accept campaign donations or endorsements.

Orr earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Kansas and his professional law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.

Johan Pietila

Pietila started working for Jackson County in 2015, first as a prosecutor before taking the job he has today in April 2020.

“I have always been drawn to public service,” Pietila said. “I see running for judge as an opportunity to step in and promote the quality of life in the community where we are raising our family. I want to have a positive impact on this community and its people.”

If elected, Pietila’s priorities will include upholding the law, treating all parties in a case with respect and promoting trust in the legal system.

“True justice means parties enter the courtroom on equal footing, and no one should be perceived at a disadvantage,” Pietila said. “When court participants in any matter know that they have been fully heard and treated fairly, I believe this encourages faith in the judicial system.”

Pietila also wants to open lines of communication with community partners and pursue the creation of a Veterans Treatment Court.

“This would allow Jackson County to be more proactive and less reactionary to crime within our community,” Pietila said.

Pietila contrasted himself with Orr by saying that, unlike the embattled judge, he would be able to hear any type of case.

“It is … deeply concerning that he was disqualified in the first place,” Pietila said. “The ability for a judge to be able to participate in all caseloads is important for this publicly funded position, lest a sitting judge become merely a paid figurehead.”

Pietila said he anticipates there will be continued litigation regarding Orr’s ability to hear the types of cases he was previously disqualified from.

Born in Grants Pass, Pietila moved with his family when he was 2 years old to Portland, where he graduated from Grant High School. Pietila earned his bachelor’s degree from Portland State University, then a certificate in law and a juris doctor from the Willamette University College of Law.

Unopposed judicial candidates

Judge Benjamin Bloom, Position 7, and Judge Laura Cromwell, Position 4, are running unopposed on the May 21 ballot.

Judge Sara Collins, Position 8, and Judge Jeremy Markiewicz, Position 1, are running unopposed on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect which elections the unopposed judicial candidates are running in.

Ballots for the May 21 primary will be mailed to Southern Oregon voters May 3.