Campaign Finance Disclaimer:

John believes in bringing trust back to the justice system, and is committed to doing so by not soliciting or accepting campaign donations. The justice system is not a place for a few people with financial means to dictate who sits on the bench, but for every citizen to have a voice. We ask you to vote with you ballot and not your wallet.

Trust back to justice

John is Committed to Enabling Real Access to Justice:

In his work as a public defender, he has a proven track record of fighting for constitutional rights and equal access to justice spanning nearly a decade. His work centers on creating equity for diverse voices and protecting the right to a fair trial for immigrant families. John is a fierce advocate for a ban on warrantless ICE arrests in our courts, and has a long history of volunteer work with Portland’s most marginalized communities.

John believes that nobody should be afraid to seek justice or participate in the court system, regardless of background.

John is Committed to Fairness & Due Process:

John’s own experience as a childhood crime victim drives his commitment to brining real-world practicality and compassion to the rigidity of processes in the court system.

John Schlosser is committed to integrity and a holistic, human-centered approach to justice. He believes we can both hold people accountable for wrongdoing while reducing recidivism and costly mass incarceration in Multnomah County through restorative justice practices and treatment courts.

Restorative Justice 101

Image credit: Duke Edu. (src: https://dukeengage.duke.edu/exploring-restorative-justice/)

Restorative justice seeks to repair harm and heal communities while still holding offenders responsible. It is a way to determine what both parties need to heal themselves and their community. Restorative justice processes allow victims to express how the crime has affected them and to allow them to seek some sort of resolution that they have a measure of control over. It also allows the offender to see the effects of their actions first hand and gives them a way to try and make amends. Additionally, restorative justice programs have been shown to reduce recidivism rate.

Background

John was raised on a farm in rural North Dakota, and served as a North Dakota 4-H ambassador. His small town values, and commitment to community and public service (thank you Mom and Dad) have guided his life and career. These are values he intends to bring with him to the Bench.

John Schlosser has been a criminal defense attorney since 2010 with a focus on working with marginalized communities, but he is more than just a lawyer - he is also board member of Pueblo Unido PDX, as well as a former board member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

John is an avid supporter of our BIPOC & Queer communities, and is an active member of OGALLA - Oregon’s LGBTQIA2S+ lawyers association.

John brings an extensive background in leadership, currently serving in the House of Delegates for the Oregon State Bar, a position he has been committed to since 2017.

John acted as a Multnomah County Democratic Party Precinct Committee Person from 2018 to 2020.