Oregon became the 33rd U.S. state in 1859. It is the 9th largest state in the U.S. by size, however it is only the 28th most populated in the country. The size of the state is 98,381 square miles and holds an estimated population of almost 4 million residents. Previously, Oregon's economy benefited from its natural resources such as timber, agriculture and fishing, however, the state strived to make a transition to more manufacturing such as computers and electronics.

Oregon state government is divided in 3 branches . The Oregon legislative branch comprises of the state's senate and house of representatives. Elected officials and offices make up the executive branch and the judicial branch being the supreme court, court of appeals, tax court and circuit courts for each county.

There are 36 counties in Oregon with 476 cities. The state gave counties the power to enact local laws regarding county matters and are also the largest governing entity by size within the state. Services from a county include law enforcement, fire and rescue, tax collections, libraries, prosecutors, treasurer and circuit courts as well as other county offices and functions. Cities are governed by the mayor, city manager and council members, finance, municipal courts, public works and other local needs.

One of Oregon's government duties, local or statewide, is to be and stay transparent to its residents. The Oregon public record law enacted in 1973 gives any member of the public the right to access records from government agencies. Oregon's freedom of information act does not solely provide information regarding the government and its functions, but also provides that all government agencies which hold records are to make their files and records open to the general public. This includes information such as births, deaths and marriages from the Oregon health authority. Any individual can order an Oregon criminal history record checks from the state police and conduct a background check on a resident in that state.

Instant databases add great valuable information to any search or investigation. State and local law enforcement agencies across Oregon offer instant searches to improve public safety. Free search of registered offenders can be searched locally with a county sheriff offices or statewide with the Oregon State Police registry. Lookup the most wanted persons or an inmate held in Oregon prisons instantly from your computer with online access. Government instant databases cover non criminal information through its various agencies. Verification of licensed professionals is accesses with a free and instant databank for anyone to use from the Oregon Secretary of State.

The Oregon municipal court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor, traffic, jury trials for certain cases.

Justice courts hear small claims of up to $2,500, misdemeanors, moving traffic, parking, miscellaneous traffic violations and handles preliminary hearings.

County court has jurisdiction over mental health, estate, adoption, and juvenile cases.

Circuit courts have exclusive tort, contract, real property rights from $751 and up, small claims up to $5,000, adoption, estate, civil appeals, mental health cases, general civil matters and domestic family relations, except adoption. Criminal circuit court has exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, traffic, and juvenile proceedings with jury trials for most case types.

Tax courts hear appeals of administrative agency cases, no jury trials. The Oregon court of appeals maintains mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases, and no discretionary jurisdiction.

The state's supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, administrative agency, disciplinary, and original proceeding cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, answering certified questions from federal courts and original proceeding cases.