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OREGON CITY, Or. -- Clackamas County Deputy District Attorney Torrey McConnell has been handling juvenile court cases for about two years.
In that relatively short time, her skill, passion for the work and willingness to advise her colleagues in Oregon’s small counties earned her the 2025 Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year award from the Oregon District Attorneys Association.
“Torrey is smart, energetic, and dedicated to both youth success and public safety. As Clackamas County’s only juvenile prosecutor, she maintains a caseload of the most serious cases a district attorney’s office sees. Yet, she tackles that challenging caseload with optimism, positivity, and skill,” said District Attorney John Wentworth.
McConnell (pictured on the right with Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth) joined the office as a law clerk in May 2016 while attending Lewis and Clark law School and was hired as a Deputy District Attorney in October 2017. During her time at the office, she has prosecuted cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to violent crimes. But she has also gained experience working in Clackamas County’s specialty courts that handle cases involving mental health, substance abuse or low-level crimes affecting the quality of life. The goal is to help people get help, stay out of trouble and avoid jail.
“I’ve always liked the reformative approach” – seeking alternatives that may be more beneficial than incarceration, she said.
A juvenile case offers an opportunity to redirect a young life, she noted. Unlike adult cases, a juvenile case takes a more expansive view, examining factors such as family life, school performance, mental health issues and other factors.
“I feel like you actually get to know the ‘why’ behind the delinquent behavior,” McConnell said.
One of the satisfying aspects of her work is getting to know the different youths on her caseload, understanding the individual behind the offensive behavior and determining an appropriate response. Is there an appropriate treatment program? Is the child a chronic runaway? Are they a candidate for electronic monitoring? Are there resources that the parents can be provided? Should the Oregon Department of Human Services be involved?
"When you take into account all of the factors affecting the youth, it creates the highest likelihood for a positive outcome,” she said.
While McConnell’s main focus is on juvenile cases, she also handles major crimes in adult court. She recently won a conviction in a case involving sexual abuse of a child and currently is prosecuting a murder case.
