ORS 161.219
Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person


Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.209 (Use of physical force in defense of a person), 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]

Source: Section 161.219 — Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Since the legislature’s intention in enacting this section and ORS 161.225 (2) was to codify the common law of self-defense and not to articulate a new standard, the statutory phrases requiring that there be a “felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person,” “unlawful deadly physical force,” or a “felony by force and violence” are the functional equivalents of the case law requirement of “great bodily harm.” State v. Burns, 15 Or App 552, 516 P2d 748 (1973), Sup Ct review denied

Defendant is entitled to a jury instruction on self-defense under either this section or ORS 161.225 (2) if there is evidence in the record that he was in imminent danger of receiving great bodily harm from the other person. State v. Burns, 15 Or App 552, 516 P2d 748 (1973), Sup Ct review denied

The fact that defendant produced and threatened to use a firearm in an attempt to terminate a criminal trespass did not deprive him of the right to claim self-defense under this section for the actual use of the firearm which occurred subsequently. State v. Burns, 15 Or App 552, 516 P2d 748 (1973), Sup Ct review denied

Self-defense is founded on necessity and, where defendant could avoid threatened danger without sacrificing own safety, he was required to do so; refusal to give instruction that person claiming right of self-defense is not required to retreat before using deadly physical force against assailant was not error. State v. Charles, 293 Or 273, 647 P2d 897 (1982). But see State v. Sandoval, 342 Or 506, 156 P3d 60 (2007)

Duty to retreat imposed under this section does not extend to police officers performing their official function. Reed v. Hoy, 891 F2d 1421 (9th Cir 1989)

Even when one or more of threatening circumstances described in this statute is present, use of deadly force is justified only if it does not exceed “degree of force which person reasonably believes to be necessary” under ORS 161.209. State v. Haro, 117 Or App 147, 843 P2d 966 (1992), Sup Ct review denied

Person is not required to retreat before using deadly physical force to defend against imminent use of deadly physical force by another. State v. Sandoval, 342 Or 506, 156 P3d 60 (2007)

Law Review Citations

51 OLR 579-587 (1972)

161.005
Short title
161.015
General definitions
161.025
Purposes
161.035
Application of Criminal Code
161.045
Limits on application
161.055
Burden of proof as to defenses
161.067
Determining punishable offenses for violation of multiple statutory provisions, multiple victims or repeated violations
161.085
Definitions with respect to culpability
161.095
Requirements for criminal liability
161.105
Culpability requirement inapplicable to certain violations and offenses
161.115
Construction of statutes with respect to culpability
161.125
Drug or controlled substance use or dependence or intoxication as defense
161.150
Criminal liability described
161.155
Criminal liability for conduct of another
161.160
Exclusion of defenses to criminal liability for conduct of another
161.165
Exemptions to criminal liability for conduct of another
161.170
Criminal liability of corporations
161.175
Criminal liability of an individual for corporate conduct
161.190
Justification as a defense
161.195
“Justification” described
161.200
Choice of evils
161.205
Use of physical force generally
161.209
Use of physical force in defense of a person
161.215
Limitations on use of physical force in defense of a person
161.219
Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person
161.225
Use of physical force in defense of premises
161.229
Use of physical force in defense of property
161.233
Use of physical force by peace officer
161.237
Use of physical force involving pressure on throat or neck by peace officer or corrections officer
161.242
Use of deadly physical force by peace officer
161.245
“Reasonable belief” described
161.249
Use of physical force by private person assisting an arrest
161.255
Use of physical force by private person making citizen’s arrest
161.260
Use of physical force in resisting arrest prohibited
161.265
Use of physical force by guard or peace officer employed in correctional facility
161.267
Use of physical force by corrections officer or official employed by Department of Corrections
161.270
Duress
161.275
Entrapment
161.290
Incapacity due to immaturity
161.295
Effect of qualifying mental disorder
161.300
Evidence of qualifying mental disorder admissible as to intent
161.305
Qualifying mental disorder as affirmative defense
161.309
Notice of mental defense
161.313
Jury instructions
161.315
Right of state to obtain mental examination of defendant
161.319
Form of verdict on guilty except for insanity
161.325
Finding of guilty except for insanity
161.326
Notice to victim
161.327
Commitment or conditional release of person found guilty except for insanity of felony
161.328
Commitment of person found guilty except for insanity of misdemeanor
161.329
Order of discharge
161.332
“Conditional release” defined
161.336
Conditional release by board
161.341
Application for discharge or conditional release
161.346
Hearings on discharge, conditional release, commitment or modification
161.348
Judicial review
161.349
Person committed under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 sentenced to term of incarceration
161.351
Discharge by board
161.355
Definitions
161.360
Qualifying mental disorder affecting fitness to proceed
161.362
Requirements for recommendations, determinations and orders
161.365
Procedure for determining issue of fitness to proceed
161.367
Gaining or regaining fitness
161.370
Determination of fitness to proceed
161.371
Procedures upon commitment of defendant
161.372
Involuntary administration of medication for fitness to proceed
161.373
Records for fitness to proceed examination
161.375
Escape of person placed at hospital or facility
161.385
Psychiatric Security Review Board
161.387
Board to implement policies
161.390
Rules for assignment of persons to state mental hospitals or secure intensive community inpatient facilities
161.392
Certification of psychiatrists and licensed psychologists
161.395
Subpoena power
161.397
Psychiatric Security Review Board Account
161.398
Restorative justice program
161.400
Leave of absence
161.405
“Attempt” described
161.425
Impossibility not a defense
161.430
Renunciation as a defense to attempt
161.435
Solicitation
161.440
Renunciation as defense to solicitation
161.450
“Criminal conspiracy” described
161.455
Conspiratorial relationship
161.460
Renunciation as defense to conspiracy
161.465
Duration of conspiracy
161.475
Defenses to solicitation and conspiracy
161.485
Multiple convictions barred in inchoate crimes
161.505
“Offense” described
161.515
“Crime” described
161.525
“Felony” described
161.535
Classification of felonies
161.545
“Misdemeanor” described
161.555
Classification of misdemeanors
161.566
Misdemeanor treated as violation
161.568
Misdemeanor treated as violation
161.570
Felony treated as misdemeanor
161.585
Classification of certain crimes determined by punishment
161.605
Maximum terms of imprisonment for felonies
161.610
Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony
161.615
Maximum terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors
161.620
Sentences imposed upon waiver
161.625
Fines for felonies
161.635
Fines for misdemeanors
161.645
Standards for imposing fines
161.655
Fines for corporations
161.665
Costs
161.675
Time and method of payment of fines, restitution and costs
161.685
Effect of nonpayment of fines, restitution or costs
161.705
Reduction of certain felonies to misdemeanors
161.710
Reduction of certain felony driving offenses after completion of sentence
161.715
Standards for discharge of defendant
161.725
Standards for sentencing of dangerous offenders
161.735
Procedure for determining whether defendant dangerous
161.737
Sentence imposed on dangerous offender as departure from sentencing guidelines
161.740
Sentencing of juvenile offenders
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