No formal judicial system existed in the region prior to February 18, 1841, when settlers at the Champoeg Meetings, in their effort to form a Provisional Government, elected Babcock as Supreme Judge as well as four justices of the peace and a High Sheriff as minor executive position, while they failed to establish the introduction of a governor because of discontent by French-Canadian settlers. That meant that Babcock also acted as executive and law-maker until the establishment of an Executive Committee in 1843.
Creation of the Provisional Government
On May 2, 1843, the Provisional Government of Oregon was finally created through a narrow 52–50 vote under the English American and French Canadian settlers.[2] This government constructed a judicial system headed by a single Supreme Judge.
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Territory was created in 1848 by the United States Congress. Congress then created a three judge supreme court for the territory. In 1859, the territory became the state of Oregon, with the Oregon Supreme Court remaining, eventually expanded to seven justices.[2]
Oregon Court of Appeals
In 1969, the state of Oregon created an intermediate level appeals court. Judges from the Oregon Court of Appeals decide cases appealed from the Oregon Circuit Court.[6] The court has a total of thirteen judgeships.
Federal district court
Upon Oregon's entry into the Union, the federal government created the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, a federal trial level court. At first there was a single judge, but currently there are six judgeships.[14] Those who have served as the chief judge are listed in italics.[15]
In 1962, the state of Oregon created a specialized court to handle state tax cases. The Oregon Tax Court consists of a single state-wide elected judge.[27]
^Narrative of a Journey: Introduction. Archived 2006-09-18 at the Wayback Machine OSU Press. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ a b cOregon Blue Book: Supreme Court Justices of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^"Oregon Supreme Court Justices". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
^Salem Online History: 508–524 State Street. Salem Public Library. Retrieved on February 24, 2009.
^Manning, Jeff (January 6, 2011). "Retired Oregon Supreme Court justice Mick Gillette joins Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt". The Oregonian. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
^Oregon Blue Book: Appeals Court Judges of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^Kost, Ryan (December 23, 2010). "Gov. Kulongoski appoints Portland attorney to Oregon Court of Appeals". The Oregonian. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
^"Governor Kitzhaber appoints Erika Hadlock to Court of Appeals". Press Release: July 7, 2011. Governor John Kitzhaber. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
^"The Honorable James C. Egan". Oregon Court of Appeals. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
^ a b c"Governor Kitzhaber appoints Joel DeVore, Erin Lagesen, and Doug Tookey to Oregon Court of Appeals". Press Release: October 17, 2013. Governor John Kitzhaber. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
^"The Honorable Chris Garrett". Oregon Court of Appeals. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
^ a b c"Governor Kate Brown Announces Appointments to the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals" (Press release). Governor's Office. January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^"Brown appoints 2 Oregon Supreme Court judges in her final days as governor". OPB.org. 2022-12-28. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
^List of Oregon District judges. Archived 2007-09-11 at the Wayback Machine Federal Judicial Service. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n oChief judges of the District of Oregon. Federal Judicial Service. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^Board of General Appraisers & U.S. Customs Court. Federal Judicial Service. Retrieved January 31, 2008.