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OREGON CITY, Or. -- A former Southern Oregon man’s heated argument with a small-town judge three years ago landed him in the Clackamas County Jail week.
Tracy Wayne Hevern, 63, was convicted of Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree after a trial before Clackamas County Circuit Judge Ann Lininger, who found him guilty and sentenced him to five days in jail.
The dispute that led to Hevern’s conviction began in Canby Municipal Court on Aug. 23, 2022. Hevern had been issued a traffic ticket for failing to wear a seatbelt.
Hevern admitted he did not wear a seatbelt but claimed the law was unconstitutional and violated his rights. Hevern maintained that since children on school buses don’t have to wear seatbelts, he shouldn’t be required to wear one. The judge suggested Hevern share his concerns about the law with Oregon legislators and found him guilty.
When Hevern continued yelling, the judge increased Hevern’s fine. As he left the courtroom, Hevern said the judge was “on the take.” The judge ordered Hevern to return to the courtroom. Hevern failed to comply then struggled with officers.
After the conclusion of a one-day Clackamas County trial, Judge Lininger immediately found Hevern guilty and sentenced him.
Hevern, formerly of Bly, Oregon and now a Texas resident, was convicted In Arizona of resisting arrest in 2018 and unlawful flight from law enforcement in 2019.
