Among the last Quality honorable Judges, Oregon loses William Cramer to retirement
Well, some sad news has been confirmed, further showing the future fate of the state of Oregon being hopeless as far as Justice in it's court systems are concerned, at least in Our humble opinion.
William D. Cramer, Jr. was the presiding judge on the Harney and Grant County Circuit Courts in Oregon and for 23 years was the only judge to be elected for 24th district. Sadly, he officially retired on December 31, 2019. There are 173 judges employed in and by the state of Oregon.
Judge Cramer has been the only Circuit Court judge for the judicial district meaning he alone has had jurisdiction over both Harney and Grant counties within the 24th Judicial District for many a year, and usually unopposed because that's how good of a judge most all agree that he has been.
Judge Cramer handled a small handful of cases to which KM leaders were involved, either directly or indirectly while helping defend other members (successfully so every time)
He told media "“I think I had a good sense of what it would take to make decisions, but I think I am a certain personality where certain cases are hard to let go because you really don’t feel there’s a great decision to make and you are struggling to make the best decision in a difficult circumstance,”
As the only circuit court judge in the 24th district, he served on all statutory committees, which most districts usually delegate out among multiple judges available. He is also on call 24/7 to do search warrants, protective orders and other after-hours responsibilities. Cramer also has two offices that he is trying to keep open in the two counties.
“It does not happen a lot, but I have seen victims give forgiveness in a very powerful way in the courtroom,” Cramer said. “I know it’s got me to the point to where I can hardly speak when I watch them giving grace to a person that does not deserve it. It lets me know they are going to move past it in a positive way, and it promotes healing.”
Judge Cramer worked as a general practice attorney for 15 years before becoming a judge for Oregon Circuit Court. He practiced law with his father in Burns where he was born and raised. Cramer has lived in Eastern Oregon most of his life with the exception of going to college in Boston where he graduated from Harvord University, and then going to law school at the University of Oregon which he graduated in 1981.
The state spends an average of $30,000 a year to house, feed and care for an individual inmate
Cramer’s last day as an elected official was Dec. 31, but for now, Cramer will continue his work as judge in Grant and Harney counties until a decision is made about the vacancy or when a new judge is elected.
