SALEM- The Oregon Supreme Court ruled July 1 that rights against self-incrimination extend not just to in-court testimony, but also to physical evidence in State v. Vondehn.

Hyatt Vondehn was arrested after officers pulled over his car and then discovered that he had an outstanding warrant.

SALEM- The Oregon State Supreme Court released an opinion Thursday on a case involving Philip Morris Inc., a large tobacco company, and the estate of a woman who died from complications with lung cancer.

Michelle Schwartz died after smoking cigarettes for 45 years. Her husband, the personal representative of her estate, sued Philip Morris for marketing an addictive product that caused adverse health effects. Punitive damages are awarded to reform behavior of the defendant, which was Philip Morris Inc. in this case.

SALEM- The Oregon State Supreme Court ruled that warrantless searches of students in public schools by officials need only “reasonable suspicion” rather than “probable cause,” making it easier for school officials to search property of students.

The opinion of the Court, released June 10, stated that the Article I Section 9 rights of the Rex Putnam High School student had not been violated when David Pogel, a teacher at Rex Putnam, reached into the student’s pocket and removed the contraband inside.

SALEM- The Oregon State Supreme Court ruled that a warrantless search by police officers of two bags left in a hotel room did not violate the privacy rights of Sheena Brown under the Oregon or the United States Constitutions.

SALEM- Following the deadline for filing for the May 2010 primary, here is the final list of candidates for the states top races.
GOVERNOR
STATE SENATE
STATE HOUSE

BY SARAH ROSS
SALEM- During Friday’s State of the Courts address at the Mission Mill Museum in Salem, Chief Justice Paul De Muniz addressed the extreme budgetary crisis his court system has endured and will continue to endure in the coming year.
De Muniz pointed out that even though the judicial branch comprises less than 1% of [...]