Attorney At Law / Expert Witness - Corrections
Elmer M. Dickens Jr.
Mr. Dickens has a broad background in enforcement and correctional issues, including being the primary author of the Oregon State Sheriff's Association Jail Standards. These jail standards, which encompass approximately 315 standards related to jail operations, are utilized by every county jail in the state and play a crucial role in shaping jail policy. Additionally, his expertise in corrections training and experience as an expert witness contribute significantly to the understanding of both jail and prison policy.
Expert Witness Services by Elmer M. Dickens Jr.
After earning his B.S. at Portland State University and his J.D. at Willamette University College of Law, Mr. Dickens served over twenty years as General Counsel to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and he continues to do so on a part-time basis. He regularly advises on law enforcement operations, personnel issues, civil process, and corrections issues, including jail operations and jail policy. He has served as General Counsel for the Washington County Sheriff’s Executive Staff for many years and continues to do so part-time.
Mr. Dickens is also the President of ELSI Legal, LLC, where he provides corrections training and law enforcement training in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Nevada. He began his corrections career in 1990 as a corrections officer at the maximum-security Oregon State Penitentiary, including a year in the Disciplinary Segregation/Death Row unit.
He taught in both the Criminal Justice and MBA programs at the University of Phoenix for several years. As a faculty member of Americans for Effective Law Enforcement, he regularly presented at their seminars in Las Vegas, sharing insights into jail and prison policy and corrections training. He also serves as a faculty member for the Institute for Prevention of In-Custody Death.
Mr. Dickens also serves as the General Counsel for the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA), advising on statewide issues that impact Sheriff’s Offices. He teaches regularly for OSSA, covering topics such as use of force, corrections, civil process, legal updates, concealed handgun license seminars, and OSSA’s New Sheriff’s Academy and annual Command College. He has been the legal advisor and primary author responsible for updating the OSSA Jail Standards and the OSSA Civil Manual for many years. He has also taught at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in both the corrections and police basic academies.
Mr. Dickens has experience litigating in both state and federal courts on a wide variety of corrections and patrol issues, serving as an expert witness when needed. He is admitted to practice in all Oregon courts, the U.S. District Court for Oregon, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
