Translate
Name: Jeffrey Nitschke
Job title: Deputy District Attorney
How long you have worked in the DA’s office: 9.5 years
If someone doesn’t know you and asks what you do for work on a day-to-day basis, you’d describe it by saying the following: I’m a criminal prosecutor who works on the domestic violence unit. I review reports after police investigations, file charges based on that review, present evidence to grand juries, file and litigate motions, work with victims and survivors of violence, and take these cases to trial where they do not resolve. Aside from case management, I regularly help with trainings for law enforcement and work with the state legislative groups to drafting and reviewing new proposed laws.
How your work makes county residents safer: Domestic violence is a prevalent issue which affects people of every group and demographic. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe forms of domestic violence in their lives. Nationally, this equates to more than 10 million women and men a year. This violence can be extreme, with 2 of every 5 female murder victims being killed by an intimate partner. Children are also vulnerable as witnessing or experiencing violence leads to higher risks of health conditions later in life and raises the risk that the children will eventually be victims or perpetrator of abuse themselves. The need to intervene in these relationship to protect victims and their families, and to ensure education and treatment for abusers to stop the cycle of violence, is critical. The work I do directly forwards all of these goals, making Clackamas a safer and healthier community.
The accomplishment by you that you’re most proud of since working in the DA’s office: Working with victims of violent crimes is one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. It is my honor to walk with victims and families through some of their worst life experiences, in one of the most stressful environments, to help them tell their story and receive justice.
Something you wish more people know about the Clackamas County DA’s office: The quality and ethics of the attorneys that work in our office is outstanding. I’ve been informed over and again through my career that Clackamas County is one of the best places to work on all sides of the bar. I believe that the attention to detail, the high commitment to professionalism, and the drive of attorneys in our office to better their community is a key part of creating this dynamic.
Can you tell us something about yourself most people wouldn’t know: I’m an avid book lover and a musician. Creating and performing music is a way I can bring beauty and passion into the world that is unassociated with the heavy subject matter I work with.