Attorney General John Kroger today announced that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up an important Oregon case that threatened to seriously limit the state’s ability to investigate allegations of child abuse.
In Camreta v. Greene, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a police officer needed a warrant or parental consent to interview a child suspected of being abused – even though a parent was suspected of being the abuser. The ruling similarly limited Oregon Department of Human Services child abuse caseworkers from interviewing the child.
“This case is vitally important for child abuse investigators,” said Keith Dubanevich, Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to Attorney General Kroger.
“Everyday, we expect child welfare workers to make the decisions that protect children from abuse and neglect. We are pleased the court has agreed to hear this very important case,” said Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Director, Oregon Department of Human Services.
The announcement of the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Camreta case and a companion case involving Deschutes County came on the same day Attorney General Kroger argued a murder case before the Supreme Court. Kroger told the justices that convicted killer Randy Joseph Moore should not receive a new trial because his lawyer failed to try and get his confession thrown out of court. Moore ultimately pleaded no contest to felony murder for his role in a Southern Oregon kidnapping that ended in the shooting death of the victim.
Twenty-four states filed a friend of the court brief in support of Oregon’s position.
Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
Contact:
Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us