OREGON SELF DEFENSE LAWS

      ORS 161.190 Justification as a defense.  In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in ORS 161.195 to 161.275, is a defense. [1971 c.743 §18]

      ORS 161.195 “Justification” described.  (1) Unless inconsistent with other provisions of chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, defining justifiable use of physical force, or with some other provision of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal when it is required or authorized by law or by a judicial decree or is performed by a public servant in the reasonable exercise of official powers, duties or functions.

      (2) As used in subsection (1) of this section, “laws and judicial decrees” include but are not limited to:

      (a) Laws defining duties and functions of public servants;

      (b) Laws defining duties of private citizens to assist public servants in the performance of certain of their functions;

      (c) Laws governing the execution of legal process;

      (d) Laws governing the military services and conduct of war; and

      (e) Judgments and orders of courts. [1971 c.743 §19]

      ORS 161.200 Choice of evils.  (1) Unless inconsistent with other provisions of chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, defining justifiable use of physical force, or with some other provision of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal when:

      (a) That conduct is necessary as an emergency measure to avoid an imminent public or private injury; and

      (b) The threatened injury is of such gravity that, according to ordinary standards of intelligence and morality, the desirability and urgency of avoiding the injury clearly outweigh the desirability of avoiding the injury sought to be prevented by the statute defining the offense in issue.

      (2) The necessity and justifiability of conduct under subsection (1) of this section shall not rest upon considerations pertaining only to the morality and advisability of the statute, either in its general application or with respect to its application to a particular class of cases arising thereunder. [1971 c.743 §20]

      ORS 161.205 Use of physical force generally.  

The use of physical force upon another person that would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal under any of the following circumstances:

   (1)(a) A parent, guardian or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor or an incompetent person may use reasonable physical force upon such minor or incompetent person when and to the extent the person reasonably believes it necessary to maintain discipline or to promote the welfare of the minor or incompetent person.

      (b) Personnel of a public education program, as that term is defined in ORS 339.285, may use reasonable physical force upon a student when and to the extent the application of force is consistent with ORS 339.285 to 339.303.

   (2) Subject to ORS 161.237 and 421.107, an authorized official of a jail, prison or correctional facility may use physical force when and to the extent that the official reasonably believes it necessary to maintain order and discipline or as is authorized by law.

   (3) A person responsible for the maintenance of order in a common carrier of passengers, or a person acting under the direction of the person, may use physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to maintain order, but the person may use deadly physical force only when the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent death or serious physical injury.

   (4) A person acting under a reasonable belief that another person is about to commit suicide or to inflict serious physical self-injury may use physical force upon that person to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to thwart the result.

   (5) A person may use physical force upon another person in self-defense or in defending a third person, in defending property, in making an arrest or in preventing an escape, as hereafter prescribed in chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971. [1971 c.743 §21; 1981 c.246 §1; 2011 c.665 §§10,11; 2013 c.133 §4; 2013 c.267 §4; 2019 c.267 §7; 2019 c.333 §2; 2020 s.s.2 c.3 §2]

      Note: See note under 161.015.

      ORS 161.209 Use of physical force in defense of a person.  Except as provided in ORS 161.215 and 161.219, a person is justified in using physical force upon another person for self-defense or to defend a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force, and the person may use a degree of force which the person reasonably believes to be necessary for the purpose. [1971 c.743 §22]

     ORS 161.215 Limitations on use of physical force in defense of a person. 

   (1) Notwithstanding ORS 161.209, a person is not justified in using physical force upon another person if:

      (a) With intent to cause physical injury or death to another person, the person provokes the use of unlawful physical force by that person.

      (b) The person is the initial aggressor, except that the use of physical force upon another person under such circumstances is justifiable if the person withdraws from the encounter and effectively communicates to the other person the intent to do so, but the latter nevertheless continues or threatens to continue the use of unlawful physical force.

      (c) The physical force involved is the product of a combat by agreement not specifically authorized by law.

      (d) The person would not have used physical force but for the discovery of the other person’s actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

   (2) As used in this section, “gender identity” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.155. [1971 c.743 §24; 2021 c.84 §2]

      ORS 161.219 Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person.  Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.209, a person is not justified in using deadly physical force upon another person unless the person reasonably believes that the other person is:

   (1) Committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person; or

   (2) Committing or attempting to commit a burglary in a dwelling; or

   (3) Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person. [1971 c.743 §23]

      ORS 161.225 Use of physical force in defense of premises. 

    (1) A person in lawful possession or control of premises is justified in using physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate what the person reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass by the other person in or upon the premises.

   (2) A person may use deadly physical force under the circumstances set forth in subsection (1) of this section only:

      (a) In defense of a person as provided in ORS 161.219; or

      (b) When the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the commission of arson or a felony by force and violence by the trespasser.

   (3) As used in subsection (1) and subsection (2)(a) of this section, “premises” includes any building as defined in ORS 164.205 and any real property. As used in subsection (2)(b) of this section, “premises” includes any building. [1971 c.743 §25]

      ORS 161.229 Use of physical force in defense of property.  A person is justified in using physical force, other than deadly physical force, upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it to be necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission by the other person of theft or criminal mischief of property. [1971 c.743 §26]

      ORS 161.233 Use of physical force by peace officer. 

   (1) A peace officer may use physical force upon another person only when it is objectively reasonable, under the totality of circumstances known to the peace officer, to believe:

      (a) That the person poses an imminent threat of physical injury to the peace officer or to a third person; or

      (b) That the use of physical force is necessary to:

      (A) Make a lawful arrest when the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a crime; or

      (B) Prevent the escape from custody of the person when the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a crime.

   (2) A peace officer may use physical force upon another person under this section only to the degree that the peace officer reasonably believes necessary to prevent physical injury under subsection (1)(a) of this section or to carry out a purpose described in subsection (1)(b) of this section.

   (3) Prior to using physical force upon another person, if the peace officer has a reasonable opportunity to do so, the peace officer shall:

      (a) Consider alternatives such as verbal de-escalation, waiting or using other available resources and techniques if reasonable, safe and feasible; and

      (b) Give a verbal warning to the person that physical force may be used and provide the person with a reasonable opportunity to comply. [2020 s.s.2 c.3 §7]

      161.235 [1971 c.743 §27; 2020 s.s.1 c.3 §3; repealed by 2021 s.s.2 c.3 §17]

     ORS 161.237 Use of physical force involving pressure on throat or neck by peace officer or corrections officer. 

   (1) Notwithstanding ORS 161.233, a peace officer or corrections officer is not justified in any circumstance in knowingly using physical force that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person except in circumstances in which physical force is justified under ORS 161.209 and 161.215.

   (2) Notwithstanding ORS 161.233, it is not reasonable under any circumstance for a peace officer or corrections officer to knowingly use physical force that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person except in circumstances in which physical force is justified under ORS 161.209 and 161.215.

   (3) As used in this section, “corrections officer” means a guard, peace officer or other official employed in a jail, prison or correctional facility, including a youth correction facility, who primarily performs the duty of custody, control or supervision of individuals charged with or convicted of a crime or otherwise confined under a court order. [2020 s.s.1 c.3 §2; 2020 s.s.2 c.3 §§1,10]

     ORS 161.242 Use of deadly physical force by peace officer. 

   (1) A peace officer may use deadly physical force upon another person only when it is objectively reasonable, under the totality of circumstances known to the peace officer, to believe that the person poses an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury to the peace officer or to a third person and the use of deadly physical force is necessary to:

      (a) Make a lawful arrest when the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a violent felony;

      (b) Defend the peace officer or a third person from the imminent threat of death or serious physical injury; or

      (c) Prevent the escape from custody of the person when the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a violent felony.

   (2) Prior to using deadly physical force upon another person, if the peace officer has a reasonable opportunity to do so, the peace officer shall:

      (a) Consider alternatives such as verbal de-escalation, waiting, using other available resources and techniques if reasonable, safe and feasible, or using a lesser degree of force; and

      (b) Give a verbal warning to the person that deadly physical force may be used and provide the person with a reasonable opportunity to comply.

   (3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section constitutes justification for reckless or criminally negligent conduct by a peace officer constituting an offense against or with respect to innocent persons whom the peace officer is not seeking to arrest or retain in custody.

   (4) As used in this section, “violent felony” has the meaning given that term in ORS 419A.004. [2020 s.s.2 c.3 §8]

      ORS 161.245 “Reasonable belief” described; status of unlawful arrest. 

   (1) For the purposes of ORS 161.233 and 161.242, a reasonable belief that a person has committed an offense means a reasonable belief in facts or circumstances which, if true, would constitute an offense.

   (2) A peace officer who is making an arrest is justified in using the physical force prescribed in ORS 161.233 and 161.242 unless the arrest is unlawful and is known by the officer to be unlawful. [1971 c.743 §29; 2020 s.s.2 c.3 §9]

      ORS 161.249 Use of physical force by private person assisting an arrest.  

   (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person who has been directed by a peace officer to assist the peace officer to make an arrest or to prevent an escape from custody is justified in using physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that force to be necessary to carry out the peace officer’s direction.

   (2) A person who has been directed to assist a peace officer under circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section may use deadly physical force to make an arrest or to prevent an escape only when:

      (a) The person reasonably believes that force to be necessary for self-defense or to defend a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force; or

      (b) The person is directed or authorized by the peace officer to use deadly physical force unless the person knows that the peace officer is not authorized to use deadly physical force under the circumstances. [1971 c.743 §30]

      ORS 161.255 Use of physical force by private person making citizen’s arrest. 

   (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a private person acting on the person’s own account is justified in using physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to make an arrest or to prevent the escape from custody of an arrested person whom the person has arrested under ORS 133.225.

   (2) A private person acting under the circumstances prescribed in subsection (1) of this section is justified in using deadly physical force only when the person reasonably believes it necessary for self-defense or to defend a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force. [1971 c.743 §31; 1973 c.836 §339]

      ORS 161.260 Use of physical force in resisting arrest prohibited.  A person may not use physical force to resist an arrest by a peace officer who is known or reasonably appears to be a peace officer, whether the arrest is lawful or unlawful. [1971 c.743 §32]

      ORS 161.265 Use of physical force by guard or peace officer employed in correctional facility. 

    (1) Except as provided in ORS 161.237, a guard or other peace officer employed in a correctional facility, as that term is defined in ORS 162.135, is justified in using physical force, including deadly physical force, upon another person if the person poses an imminent threat of physical injury to the guard or peace officer or to a third person or the guard or peace officer reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner from a correctional facility. The guard or peace officer may use physical force under this subsection only to the degree that the guard or peace officer reasonably believes necessary to prevent the physical injury or escape.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a guard or other peace officer employed by the Department of Corrections may not use deadly physical force in the circumstances described in ORS 161.267 (3). [1971 c.743 §33; 2005 c.431 §3; 2020 s.s.2 c.3 §§4,11]

      ORS 161.267 Use of physical force by corrections officer or official employed by Department of Corrections.

   (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Colocated minimum security facility” means a Department of Corrections institution that has been designated by the Department of Corrections as a minimum security facility and has been located by the department on the grounds of a medium or higher security Department of Corrections institution.

      (b) “Department of Corrections institution” has the meaning given that term in ORS 421.005.

      (c) “Stand-alone minimum security facility” means a Department of Corrections institution that has been designated by the department as a minimum security facility and that has been located by the department separate and apart from other Department of Corrections institutions.

   (2) Subject to ORS 161.237 and 421.107, a corrections officer or other official employed by the Department of Corrections is justified in using physical force, including deadly physical force, when and to the extent that the officer or official reasonably believes it necessary to:

      (a) Prevent the escape of an adult in custody from a Department of Corrections institution, including the grounds of the institution, or from custody;

      (b) Maintain or restore order and discipline in a Department of Corrections institution, or any part of the institution, in the event of a riot, disturbance or other occurrence that threatens the safety of adults in custody, department employees or other persons; or

      (c) Prevent serious physical injury to or the death of the officer, official or another person.

   (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2)(a) of this section, a corrections officer or other official employed by the department may not use deadly physical force to prevent the escape of an adult in custody from:

      (a) A stand-alone minimum security facility;

      (b) A colocated minimum security facility, if the corrections officer or other official knows that the adult in custody has been classified by the department as minimum custody; or

      (c) Custody outside of a Department of Corrections institution:

      (A) While the adult in custody is assigned to an adult in custody work crew; or

      (B) During transport or other supervised activity, if the adult in custody is classified by the department as minimum custody and the adult in custody is not being transported or supervised with an adult in custody who has been classified by the department as medium or higher custody.

   (4) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a person to use physical force under ORS 161.205 (2) or 161.265. [2005 c.431 §2; 2019 c.213 §38; 2019 c.333 §3; 2020 s.s.2 c.3 §5]

      ORS 161.270 Duress. 

   (1) The commission of acts which would otherwise constitute an offense, other than murder, is not criminal if the actor engaged in the proscribed conduct because the actor was coerced to do so by the use or threatened use of unlawful physical force upon the actor or a third person, which force or threatened force was of such nature or degree to overcome earnest resistance.

   (2) Duress is not a defense for one who intentionally or recklessly places oneself in a situation in which it is probable that one will be subjected to duress.

   (3) It is not a defense that a spouse acted on the command of the other spouse, unless the spouse acted under such coercion as would establish a defense under subsection (1) of this section. [1971 c.743 §34; 1987 c.158 §22]

      ORS 161.275 Entrapment. 

    (1) The commission of acts which would otherwise constitute an offense is not criminal if the actor engaged in the proscribed conduct because the actor was induced to do so by a law enforcement official, or by a person acting in cooperation with a law enforcement official, for the purpose of obtaining evidence to be used against the actor in a criminal prosecution.

   (2) As used in this section, “induced” means that the actor did not contemplate and would not otherwise have engaged in the proscribed conduct. Merely affording the actor an opportunity to commit an offense does not constitute entrapment. [1971 c.743 §35]