A Washington County jury has ordered the county to pay $800,000 to two public defenders who said a sheriff’s deputy repeatedly blocked them from courtrooms and treated them differently because of their race and ethnicity. The verdict, reached this week after a trial in Hillsboro, is a rare local judgment finding discriminatory treatment of lawyers working inside the county courthouse.
According to KOIN, jurors awarded $500,000 to Chloé Clay and $300,000 to Alyne Sanchez. The trials began in early January, and the jury returned its decision after deliberating for roughly five hours, local reporting says.
What The Jury Decided
The jury concluded a Washington County sheriff’s deputy had discriminated against the two women of color by denying them access to a Law Enforcement Center courtroom on separate occasions, effectively impeding their ability to represent clients. The Oregonian reported the verdict capped a trial that began Jan. 6 and focused on incidents at county court facilities in late 2022.
What The Lawsuits Described
Court filings and earlier reporting say both Clay and Sanchez accused the same deputy, David Lyle, of blocking entry and treating them like non-attorneys on separate dates in November and December 2022. Those complaints also alleged that a courtroom deputy failed to intervene when members of the Proud Boys shouted racist remarks at Sanchez, according to reporting by InvestigateWest.
Reactions From The Lawyers And Sheriff’s Office
Sanchez told reporters she had “never felt so powerless” after the incidents, a comment included in prior coverage by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office told local media it was “disappointed with the outcome” but said it remains committed to maintaining safe facilities free from harassment and discrimination, according to KOIN.
Why Advocates Say It Hits Deeper
Attorneys and advocates say the verdict lands against a courthouse system already under scrutiny for strained public defense resources and tense prosecution-defense dynamics. Local coverage of court staffing and public defender shortages has highlighted how heavy caseloads and courthouse friction can compound access problems for defendants and their counsel, as reported previously by KPTV.
The lawsuits were filed in late August 2023 and tried this month; the county has not yet signaled whether it will appeal the jury’s decision, local reporting indicates. The Oregonian and other outlets say the verdict could prompt reviews of courthouse security protocol and training for deputies who screen the public at court entrances…