The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law abridging (curtailing) the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The process of petitioning the government regarding a person’s complaints about the government (grievances) or to seek the assistance of the government (without fear of punishment or reprisal) applies to both judicial processes (the courts) and administrative processes (administrative agencies). The U.S. Supreme Court has referred to this right to petition for redress of grievances as “among the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the Bill of Rights.”

In Oregon, as in all states, the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This means that individuals have the right to approach the courts, administrative agencies, and other governmental bodies to express their complaints about government actions or to seek assistance without fear of punishment or reprisal. The U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of this right, considering it fundamental to the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. Oregon state statutes and administrative rules provide mechanisms for individuals to file complaints, appeal decisions, and seek remedies through judicial and administrative processes. This ensures that citizens can hold the government accountable and can seek redress in a variety of contexts, from local municipal issues to state-level concerns.