 while another was arrested twice in the span of 10 days, both for DUIIs.

Lab results are still pending for all of these cases.

Don't Edit

Small amounts of diluted urine at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff

Oregon public safety officials and legal experts want to prevent more of these cases from occurring. They're also concerned offenders aren't getting the treatment they need for substance abuse.

In Oregon, drivers may have their misdemeanor charges dismissed by successfully completing a program known as "diversion." This entails undergoing drug rehabilitation, attending a victim impact session and paying any fines. Only people who are first-time offenders or were charged with a DUII more than 15 years ago can qualify.

Don't Edit

Urine samples sit in a refrigerator at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. Forensic scientist Ashley Zelinski says the samples represent about two weeks worth of work. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff

A DUII suspect typically has only 30 days from arrest to decide whether or not to enter diversion. The urine backlog means many marijuana defendants don't know how strong the case against them is in time for the deadline.

"It really impacts the offender who isn't able to enter treatment right away, who has to wait a year to know if they are going to be charged with a crime or not," said Amanda Dalton, a lobbyist for the Oregon District Attorneys Association.

Gray, the defense attorney who focuses on DUII cases, said when clients are considering diversion, they'd like their toxicology results first.

Don't Edit

A urine sample at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff

However, Gray said, the testing backlog means that if a client believes he or she was truly high, he will often recommend entering diversion before the results come in.

Olcott Thompson, the president of the board of directors for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said the delay interferes with his ability to advise a potential client effectively.

"As a defense attorney, you want all the information possible before even deciding if you want to go to trial," Thompson said.

Don't Edit

Ashley Zelinski, a forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory, prepares to place urine samples into a gas chromatography mass spectrometer, which will separate drugs from urine and identify
while another was arrested twice in the span of 10 days, both for DUIIs. 

 Lab result are however pending for all of these cases. 

 Don't Edit 

 Small amounts of diluted urine at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura / Staff 

 Oregon public base hit officials and legal experts desire to prevent more of these cases from occurring. They're also implicated wrongdoer aren't getting the treatment they want for substance abuse. 

 In Oregon, drivers may accept their misdemeanor charges dismissed by successfully completing a program known as " diversion. " This entail undergoing drug rehabilitation, attending a victim shock session and paying any fines. Only citizenry who are first - time offenders or were charged with a DUII more than 15 years ago can stipulate. 

 Don't Edit 

 Urine samples sit in a refrigerator at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. Forensic scientist Ashley Zelinski says the samples represent about two weeks worth of work. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura / Staff 

 A DUII suspect typically has only 30 days from arrest to decide whether or not to enter diversion. The urine backlog means many marijuana defendant don't acknowledge how strong the casing against them is in meter for the deadline. 

 " It really impacts the offender who isn't able to figure discussion right away, who has to expect a year to know if they are going to be charged with a crime or not, " said Amanda Dalton, a lobbyist for the Oregon District Attorneys Association. 

 Gray, the defense lawyer who focuses on DUII cases, said when clients are considering diversion, they'd like their toxicology results foremost. 

 Don't Edit 

 A urine sample distribution at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura / Staff 

 However, Gray say, the testing backlog means that if a customer believes he or she was truly high, he will frequently recommend entering diversion before the results come in. 

 Olcott Thompson, the president of the united states of the board of director for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said the delay interfere with his ability to advise a likely client effectively. 

 " As a defense attorney, you desire all the information possible before even deciding if you desire to go to trial, " Thompson said. 

 Don't Edit 

 Ashley Zelinski, a forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory, prepares to place urine samples into a gas chromatography mass spectrometer, which will separate drugs from urine and identify
 whlle another was arrested twice in the skab of 10 vays, bofh for DJIIs.

Lab results are still peidint for all of these cases.

Don'g Edit

Smapl amounrs oh diluted urine ef the Ovzgon Abate 'ooice Forensic Kaboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Ndkxmbra/Staff

Oregon public safety officiajs and kehal experts wagt tp prebvnu more of these cases from occurrjng. Thej're also concernec offenders aren't getting hhe hreatment they neef for substqnce qbuse.

In Oregun, drivers may have thgir misdemeanor charges dismissea by xuccessfuloy colkleting a prigram known as "diyvrsion." Dhis enyails undergoikg drng rwhabilitation, attendiig a victim impact sgssion and pcying any fines. Only peiple fho dre wursg-tije orfendegs kr were chzrged with q DUII more than 15 ytarf ago can qualjfy.

Don'e Qdit

Urine samples sit in a refrigerator at the Oregon State Policw Forensic Laboratory. Forensic scientist Ashley Zelinski says the samples reprevent ebuut tru wfeks worth of work. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff

A SUOI suspect typicclly has only 30 dsyd gtom arrest to aecide whsther or not to enher divgrsion. The urint bacllog means many marijuana dwfendants dou't jnow how strong thz case againrt tnem ix in time for the deadlnne.

"It deally impafts the orwender who isn't xblv to enter treatment right awar, who has to cait a ydar jo know if they age goltg to be charged wlth a csime or noh," said Amanda Dalton, a lobbyist for the Oregom Gisnrict Attjrneyx Association.

Dray, the defenxe attoxney wfo focuses on DUIM cases, said when clients wre considermng diverfion, thet'd like gheir toxicoloby results first.

Don'r Edit

A urine sampke xf the Oregon Stcue Kooice Forensic Kaburaeogy. Ouly 27, 2018 Beth Nakamusa/Stxff

Fpwevef, Gray said, ghe yesting backlog meanv thzt if a client beloeyes he or she was truly high, hr will often recomlend xnteriig divrrsyon before the results come in.

Klcott Thlmpfon, the presydenb of the board of directors for the Oregon Criminal Dxfense Lawyers Associajion, said the delay iuttrferes with iis abylity to ddvise a potential coient effectively.

"Ss a defense attorney, you wdnt apl the information possible before even deciding if you want to go to triql," Thompson said.

Doh't Ecit

Asvlzy Velinsky, a hocensic scientist st the Oregon State Police Foreisic Labordtjry, prepares to place urine xaoples into a eas chromatography mass apectromrter, which will separate drugs grom urine and identify
while another was arrested twice in the 10 both for Lab results are these Don't Edit Small of diluted urine the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff Oregon public safety officials and legal experts want to more of these cases from occurring. They're also concerned offenders aren't getting the they for abuse. Oregon, drivers may have their misdemeanor charges dismissed by successfully completing a program known as "diversion." entails undergoing drug rehabilitation, attending a victim impact and paying any fines. people who are first-time offenders were with a more 15 ago can qualify. Edit Urine samples sit in a refrigerator at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. Forensic scientist Ashley says the about two worth work. 27, 2018 Beth DUII suspect typically has only 30 to decide whether or not to enter diversion. urine backlog many marijuana defendants don't know how the case against them is in time for deadline. "It really impacts the offender who isn't able to enter treatment right away, who wait a year to if they are to charged a or not," Amanda Dalton, a lobbyist for the Oregon District Attorneys Association. Gray, defense attorney who focuses on DUII cases, said when clients diversion, like their toxicology first. Don't Edit A sample the Oregon State Police July 2018 Gray the backlog means that if client believes he or she truly high, he will the results come in. Olcott Thompson, the president the board of directors for the Oregon Defense Lawyers Association, said the delay interferes with his ability to advise potential client a defense attorney, you want all the information before even deciding if want to go to trial," Thompson said. Don't Edit Zelinski, forensic scientist the Oregon State Forensic Laboratory, prepares place urine samples gas chromatography spectrometer, will urine and identify
 while another was arrested twIce in the spAn of 10 dAys, BotH fOr DUiIs.

LAb results are stILl peNding for all of these caseS.

Don't edIT

SmaLL aMountS of diluTEd URIne At ThE OrEgON STate POliCe ForenSic LaboratOry. juLy 27, 2018 Beth NakamuRA/STaff

Oregon PubLic safety offIciAls and LeGal EXpertS waNt to pRevent MOre of tHese cases FrOM occurRIng. They'RE AlSo coNcerned offenders aREn'T Getting the treaTment tHeY NeED For SubStance abusE.

IN OregON, driverS MaY HAVe tHEir misdemeanoR charges disMIssEd by suCcEssFUlly coMpletInG A prOgram known aS "divErsion." ThiS entaiLS undergOIng drug RehabiLitAtiOn, atTEnDiNg a ViCTim IMpAct SEssIon and paYiNg Any fiNes. ONLY PEoplE whO are First-Time offenders Or wEre cHArgEd witH a DUIi morE tHan 15 yeArs ago Can quAlIfy.

Don't Edit

UrinE samPles sit in A reFrIgeRaTor at THe OregOn STatE Police forensiC labOrATORy. forensic scientist AShLEY ZElinski sAys the SAmPlES represeNt AboUt twO WEeks wOrth OF wOrk. July 27, 2018 BEth NakAMuRa/staff

A DuIi suspeCt TypIcaLly haS Only 30 Days frOm arrest To decIDe whether or not TO enter diversiON. THE UrINe baCklOg means many MariJUana DefeNDaNts DOn't knOw how StROnG The case against them iS iN time fOr the Deadline.

"It reaLly impacts THE Offender Who iSN't ABle to enter treaTment Right away, wHO has to waIt a yeAr to know If they are GOIng to be cHarGed WitH a cRIMe Or not," said AmanDA daltOn, A lobbyiSt fOr the OrEgoN DiStrIct atTorneys AsSociatioN.

GRaY, tHe DefEnse aTTorney whO fOcuSeS on dUII cASes, saiD when ClieNtS aRE coNsideriNG dIVErsiOn, ThEy'd lIke ThEir toXicoLOgy Results First.

Don't ediT

a uriNe SaMple at tHe Oregon State poLice ForensIc labOratorY. jUly 27, 2018 Beth NAkamura/Staff

However, Gray SAid, the tEstIng baCkloG means thaT if A clienT beLIeves hE or she Was trUlY hiGH, He wilL OFtEn rEcOmmend enteRINg dIversIoN befOre the rEsults come in.

Olcott tHomPson, the presidEnt Of thE BOaRd oF DiREctOrS For THE Oregon Criminal defense LawYeRS ASsociation, SAid ThE delay iNterferEs witH His abilIty to adviSe a potentIaL cliENT efFectively.

"AS a defensE attorney, YOu wanT AlL the iNfoRmatioN pOssIble bEfore eVEn dEcidiNg if yoU wAnt to gO to trIaL," ThompsoN said.

Don't Edit

Ashley ZeliNski, a fOrensIc sCientist aT thE oreGon State POlicE Forensic LAboRatOry, prEpaREs to pLace URiNe sAMples Into A Gas chromaTOgRapHY MaSs spectromeTER, WhiCh wilL sePArate dRugs From urine and identIFy
 while another was arreste d twice in  thespa n o f10 d ays,  both for DUII s .

L ab results are still p endin gf or a l lof th ese cas e s. Don 't  E dit 
S ma ll am oun ts of d iluted uri neat  the OregonS ta te PoliceFor ensic Labora tor y. Jul y27, 2018Bet h Nak amura/ S taff
Oregon pu bl i c safe t y offic i a ls  and  legal experts wa n tt o prevent more  of th es e  c a s esfro m occurrin g.  They ' re also co n c e rne d  offenders ar en't gettin g  th e trea tm ent they n eed f or sub stance abus e.
In Oregon , driv e rs mayh ave the ir mis dem ean or c h ar ge s d is m iss e dbys ucc essfully  c om pleti ng a p r o gram  kn ownas "d iversion." Th isenta i lsunder going  dru grehab ilitat ion,at tending a victi m im pact sess ion  a ndpa yinga ny fin es.  On ly peop le whoa refi r s t -t ime offenders or w er e ch arged wi th a D U II  m o re than15  ye arsa g o can  qua l if y.

Don' t Edit 
U ri ne samp le s sitin  aref riger a torat the  OregonState Police Forensi c  Laboratory.F or e n si c  sci ent ist AshleyZeli n skisays th e s a mples  repr es e nt about two weeks wor th  of wo rk. J uly 27, 2018Beth Nakam u r a /Staff
A DU I Is uspect typical ly ha s only 30d ays from  arre st to de cide whet h e r or not  to  en ter  di v e rs ion. The urin e back lo g means  ma ny mari jua nadef end an ts don'tknow how  s tr on gthe  case againstth emis  in  time for th e dea dlin e. 
" Itreallyi mp a c ts t he  o ffen der  w ho is n'ta ble  to ent er treatm ent righ taw ay, who  has to waitayear to kn ow  if  theya r e goingto be charged with a cr i me or n ot, " sai d Am anda Dalt on,  a lob byi s t forthe Or egonDi str i c t Att o r ne ysAs sociation. Gra y, th edefe nse att orney who focuseso n D UII cases, sa idwhen c li ent s  a r e c on s ide r i ng diversion, t hey'd like  t h ei r toxicolo g y r es ults fi rst.

D on'tE dit

Aurine sam ple at th eOreg o n  St ate Police  Forensi c Laborat o ry. J u ly  27,201 8 Beth  N aka mura/ StaffHow ever,  Graysa id, th e tes ti ng backl og means that if a clie nt bel ieves  he  or she w ast rul y high, h e wi ll often r eco mme nd en ter i ng di vers i on  be f ore t he r e sults com e  i n.O lc ott Thompso n , the  pres ide n t of t he b oard of directors for the Oregon  Cri m i nal  De f ense  L awyers Associa tio n, s aid thede lay interfe res with  h i s abi lity t o advi se a po t e nt i al cli enteff ectively. 

" As a defen se  a t torney , yo uwant a ll the info r m ation possible b efore e ven d e cid ing i fyou wan t  togo to tria l," Thompso n said .

D on'tEdit

A sh ley Ze lin sk i, a foren s ic scient ist a t the O re gonSta te Pol iceF o rensi c La bo rat ory, prep a r es to  p l ace  uri ne sa mp lesinto a ga s  chromat ogr a phy mas sspe c t romete r ,w h ich will s epa rated r ugs from u r inea nd ident ify
 while_another was_arrested twice in the_span of_10_days, both_for_DUIIs.

Lab results are_still pending for_all of these cases.

Don't_Edit

Small amounts of_diluted_urine at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018 Beth Nakamura/Staff

Oregon public_safety_officials and_legal_experts_want to prevent more of_these cases from occurring. They're_also concerned_offenders aren't getting the treatment they need for_substance_abuse.

In Oregon, drivers_may have their misdemeanor charges dismissed by successfully completing_a program known as "diversion." This_entails undergoing drug_rehabilitation,_attending_a victim impact session_and paying any fines. Only people_who are first-time offenders or were_charged with a DUII more than 15_years ago can qualify.

Don't Edit

Urine samples_sit in a refrigerator at_the Oregon_State Police Forensic Laboratory. Forensic_scientist Ashley Zelinski_says the_samples represent about_two weeks worth of work. July_27, 2018 Beth_Nakamura/Staff

A DUII suspect typically has only_30_days from arrest_to_decide_whether or_not to enter_diversion._The urine_backlog_means many marijuana defendants don't know_how_strong the case against them is in_time for the deadline.

"It_really_impacts the offender who_isn't able to enter treatment_right away, who has to wait_a year_to know_if they are going to be charged with a crime or_not," said Amanda Dalton, a lobbyist_for the Oregon District_Attorneys Association.

Gray,_the_defense attorney who_focuses_on DUII_cases, said when clients are considering diversion,_they'd like_their toxicology results first.

Don't Edit

A urine_sample at the Oregon_State_Police Forensic Laboratory. July 27, 2018_Beth Nakamura/Staff

However, Gray said, the testing_backlog means that if a_client_believes_he or she was truly_high, he will often recommend entering_diversion before the_results come in.

Olcott Thompson, the president of_the_board of directors for the Oregon_Criminal_Defense Lawyers Association, said the delay_interferes_with_his ability to advise a_potential client effectively.

"As a defense attorney,_you want all the information possible before even deciding_if you want_to go to trial," Thompson_said.

Don't_Edit

Ashley_Zelinski, a forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police Forensic_Laboratory, prepares_to place urine_samples into a gas chromatography mass spectrometer, which will separate_drugs from urine and identify