Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon Supreme Court has sided with a circuit court judge in a dispute over sentencing in Lane County. April Baer reports.

After seeing other defendants released early from a crowded jail, Judge Gregory Foote  invoked a little-known provision of Oregon law. 

He demanded a defendant be held, either in Lane County, or in an adjacent county's jail, if needed.

County Commissioners challenged this, but an order signed by the state's Chief Justice indicates the court was unwilling to step in - yet.  And it's a moot point, since the defendant is still in custody. 

The order hints that a different set of circumstances might lead the Court to take up the case.

County Administrator Jeff Spartz says the case is resolved - for now.

Jeff Spartz "I'm sure it could always be repeated, but given the fact it hasn't happened a second time leads me to conclude it's probably not a likely event."

But the ruling does not end Lane County's jail problems.  The County's DA and Sheriff are leading a commission seeking ways to secure stable public safety funding.