Courtroom and real-world experience.
Professional info​
Ann Marie Simmons has spent the past 15 years in Douglas County courtrooms, holding individals accountable for their actions and holding the system accountable to the people. Before studying law, Ann Marie learned the value of hard work in a variety of other jobs.
Courtroom Experience
Circuit Court Judge
December 2013 - present
In late 2013, Judge Ron Poole retired after 35 years on the Douglas County bench. Gov. John Kitzhaber selected Ann Marie to succeed Judge Poole, and she took the oath of office December 6, 2013. Since that time, she has presided over cases and matters of all types that come before the court.
Assistant Public Defender
​2010 - 2013
In 2010, Ann Marie accepted a position with the Public Defender, which provides representation of indigent criminal defendants required by the U.S. and Oregon Constitutions to be provided with attorneys. In a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor cases, she worked to ensure that police followed proper procedures and negotiated plea bargains in appropriate cases, reducing the caseload of the courts.
Deputy District Attorney / Delinquencies Prosecutor
​2006 - 2010
In 2006, Ann Marie accepted an assignment that allowed her to serve as a bridge between the Ofice of the District Attorney and families with children the Douglas County Juvenile Department. Ann Marie viewed her work with youths as an investment in the future of Douglas County.
Deputy District Attorney
​1998 - 2010
After completing law school at Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, Ann Marie joined District Attorney Jack Banta as a deputy. In this capacity, Ann Marie prosecuted adults for a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony crimes, earning recognition in 2005 from the Oregon Multi-Disciplinary DUII Training Task Force as the state's DUII Prosecutor of the Year.
Community Activities
Cub Scout leader
Douglas County Library
Foundation board member
St. Paul school board member
Boys & Girls Club volunteer
Other interests
Reading
Gardening
College basketball and football,
but mostly basketball
2010 - present
2010 - present
Education
Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
​1997-98
Ann Marie studied in her final year as a visiting student in Portland, where her husband was beginning law school.
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
​1995- 1997
Ann Marie studied law at and received her Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis.
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
​1988-1992
Ann Marie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, and learned to love college basketball at the University of Kansas. She was a State of Kansas Scholar.
Other Work Experience
Discount store cashier, Dodge City, Kansas
Water Department clerk, Lawrence, Kansas
Law firm receptionist and runner, Jackson, Mississippi
Furniture salesperson, Tacoma, Washington
Legislative assistant, Olympia, Washington