Rule 24.090.Presiding Post-conviction Judge
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 24.090
Plain-English Summary
Post-conviction cases arrive steadily in some judicial districts and rarely in others. This rule lets a district that sees enough of them concentrate the pretrial work in one judge rather than spreading it across the bench. The district does that by Supplementary Local Rule, not by informal practice, so the arrangement is written down where the parties can find it.
The presiding post-conviction judge handles pretrial case management. That judge may conduct status conferences, hear pretrial motions, and take on other duties the local rules assign. The assignment is about managing cases toward trial, so the judge who tries the case may be a different one.
The practical step is to read your district's Supplementary Local Rules before filing a motion or asking for a conference. Where a district has named a presiding post-conviction judge, that is who takes the pretrial work, and the same local rules are what designate a judge for continuance motions under UTCR 24.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a presiding post-conviction judge in Oregon?
A judge a judicial district has assigned, by Supplementary Local Rule, to handle pretrial case management in post-conviction cases. The role is a local arrangement that the UTCR permits rather than a statewide office.
Does every judicial district have a presiding post-conviction judge?
No. The rule says a district may assign one. Districts that do not adopt a local rule on it handle post-conviction cases through their ordinary assignment practices.
What can a presiding post-conviction judge do?
Conduct status conferences, hear pretrial motions, and take on other duties provided by the local rules adopted under this section. The scope beyond conferences and motions is set locally, so it can vary from district to district.
Will the presiding post-conviction judge try my case?
Not necessarily. The role this rule describes is pretrial case management. Whether the same judge takes the trial depends on the district's local rules and its assignment practices.
How do I find out whether my district has a presiding post-conviction judge?
Check the judicial district's Supplementary Local Rules. The assignment has to be made by local rule, so if the district has one, it is written there.