Hey Folks,
During the last election cycle I was contacted by Attorney Daniel M. Hinrichs about a Coos county judicial candidate, Ryan Hughes. It was about some personal issues that was allegedly plaguing Hughes. Even candidates should have to be considered innocent before proven guilty and it did not rise to a level of real concern.
Also, he was never charged for any crime or misconduct in his capacity in any official position, but the mere perception created by his opponents may have cost him the election. The following is the email thread between me and Mr. Hinrichs.....Rob T.
During the last election cycle I was contacted by Attorney Daniel M. Hinrichs about a Coos county judicial candidate, Ryan Hughes. It was about some personal issues that was allegedly plaguing Hughes. Even candidates should have to be considered innocent before proven guilty and it did not rise to a level of real concern.
Also, he was never charged for any crime or misconduct in his capacity in any official position, but the mere perception created by his opponents may have cost him the election. The following is the email thread between me and Mr. Hinrichs.....Rob T.
Email Conversation:
Daniel M. Hinrichs (dan@590lawoffices.com)
4/18/16
To: cooscountywatchdog@gmail.com
Are you interested in reporting on one of the Judicial candidates that has several criminal convictions (Oregon and Iowa) and is currently on probation? He did a fluff piece in The World, but it does not accurately represent the behavior he engaged in that led to his conviction. He is currently on probation for the convictions out of Lane County, and he should not be judge.
Thanks!
Daniel M. Hinrichs
Attorney at Law
590 Commercial Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Telephone (541) 267-0229
Fax (541) 267-0154
From: Rob Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 11:46 AM
To: Dan Hinrichs
Subject: RE: Coos/Curry Circuit Court election
Hello Daniel,
Do you have a link to the article? I'm having no luck hunting it down and really have not been paying much attention to that race. A DUI would not be a reason to disqualify anyone from judgeship, but it would be something to look into if there was a pattern of criminality and a background story.
However, I would be more interested in this persons stance on the issues and how they would conduct themselves on the bench than I would be about some personal problems. In some cases, the leaders who show no human emotions and who have not lived a varied life may be more detrimental than someone who has lived a little.
By the way, who are you supporting and why?
Sincerely,
Rob Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 11:46 AM
To: Dan Hinrichs
Subject: RE: Coos/Curry Circuit Court election
Hello Daniel,
Do you have a link to the article? I'm having no luck hunting it down and really have not been paying much attention to that race. A DUI would not be a reason to disqualify anyone from judgeship, but it would be something to look into if there was a pattern of criminality and a background story.
However, I would be more interested in this persons stance on the issues and how they would conduct themselves on the bench than I would be about some personal problems. In some cases, the leaders who show no human emotions and who have not lived a varied life may be more detrimental than someone who has lived a little.
By the way, who are you supporting and why?
Sincerely,
Rob Taylor
Daniel M. Hinrichs (dan@590lawoffices.com)
4/20/16
To: Rob Taylor
Hello-
I will send you a copy of the printed article, the police report- which is egregious, and some associated stuff. I am supporting Megan Jacquot because she is the most experienced and has the best temperament for the job. I would not be offended if Inokuchi won- I just think Jacquot is better. I do have a problem with a convicted criminal who “quit” his job at the DA’s office becoming our next judge. The Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits a judge from being convicted of a crime or doing anything that would reflect negatively on the office. Coos County has a strong history of very good judges. Mr. Hughes was convicted of reckless driving and recklessly endangering- “A” misdemeanors- for driving at a high rate of speed, swerving around people, hitting another vehicle and forcing it off of the road, and then speeding away without stopping. He’s just lucky that no one was injured. That type of behavior should disqualify him from being judge. The fact that he claimed he didn’t know he was in an accident should raise serious doubts about his credibility.
Daniel M. Hinrichs, P.C.
Attorney at Law
590 Commercial Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Telephone (541) 267-0229
Fax (541) 267-0154
From: Rob Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 2:57 PM
To: Dan Hinrichs
Subject: RE: Coos/Curry Circuit Court election
Hey Daniel,
Please send what you can, because some close confidants have expressed their concern for the legitimacy of this candidate. Yet, others like this person's policies. I do not know this person, but it is starting to become a very intriguing issue and yes there should be a standard for judgeship. Of course, I like to determine the case based on its own merits.
Hey, If the law states a person convicted of a crime cannot be a judge then how did the candidate's filing fly by the County Clerk and SOS? Do they know and can someone file an injunction to the candidacy?
Sincerely,
Rob Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 2:57 PM
To: Dan Hinrichs
Subject: RE: Coos/Curry Circuit Court election
Hey Daniel,
Please send what you can, because some close confidants have expressed their concern for the legitimacy of this candidate. Yet, others like this person's policies. I do not know this person, but it is starting to become a very intriguing issue and yes there should be a standard for judgeship. Of course, I like to determine the case based on its own merits.
Hey, If the law states a person convicted of a crime cannot be a judge then how did the candidate's filing fly by the County Clerk and SOS? Do they know and can someone file an injunction to the candidacy?
Sincerely,
Rob Taylor
From: Daniel M. Hinrichs (dan@590lawoffices.com)
Sent:Wed 4/20/16 3:31 PM
To:Rob Taylor (obetewic@msn.com)
There is no prohibition, as far as I can tell, on someone running for judge with a conviction. Once he’s elected, perhaps the judicial fitness committee might investigate. If a sitting judge was convicted of these crimes, with these facts, I am certain that judge would be investigated and sanctioned. I will try to scan what I have and attach to this email- except the World article which I don’t want to reproduce due to copyright issues. The World article from March 29 is:
http://theworldlink.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/circuit-court-judge-candidate-explains-exit-from-coos-county-da/article_a09449f2-44bd-58e2-8cf9-d196c28317dd.html
Thanks
Daniel M. Hinrichs, P.C.
Attorney at Law
590 Commercial Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Telephone (541) 267-0229
Fax (541) 267-0154
LTE ~ Judge Candidate Ryan Hughes was Libeled & Slandered Anonymously
| Hinrichs Letter The World April 19, 2016 |
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