Justice of the Peace

About Columbia County Justice of the Peace Diana Shera Taylor

Diana M. Shera Taylor was appointed to the Columbia County Justice Court bench by Governor Kate Brown on December 8, 2017. She was elected to the six-year term in November 2018 and was sworn into office in January 2019

Judge Taylor previously served as the Municipal Court Judge for the cities of St. Helens (2005 to 2011), Scappoose, (2000 to 2011), Columbia City (1996 to 2005), and Clatskanie (2000 to 2003), where she presided over misdemeanors, traffic matters, and city ordinance violations.  She retired from the Bench in 2011 to focus on her mediation and arbitration practice but was drawn back to the Bench upon the retirement of Judge Wally Thompson from the Justice Court.

Active in the community, Judge Taylor has served on the Columbia County Guardianship Committee, Juvenile Court Improvement Project Committee, Columbia County Family Law Advisory Committee, Columbia County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, Columbia County Legal Aid Board of Directors, Columbia Community Mental Health Board of Directors, and Women’s Resource Center’s Board of Directors (now known as SAIF).

Judge Taylor holds a JD from Golden Gate University School of Law, a BA from San Francisco State University, and a Paralegal Certificate from San Francisco State University.  These degrees were all earned while Judge Taylor was working full time during the day, and attending college at night.

When asked what people should know about the Justice Court, Judge Taylor said “I see the Justice Court as a true People’s Court.  In many instances, this may be the only experience that a person has with the judicial system.  I strive to ensure that people feel heard and respected and that their matters have been handled objectively, fairly, and in accordance with the law.” 

The Columbia County Justice Court handles citations from the Oregon Department of Transportation, various locations of the Oregon State Police, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Animal Control, six municipalities, and various other agencies.  The Court is located in Vernonia.