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)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(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 (Definitions for ORS 339.285 to 339.303), may use reasonable physical force upon a student when and to the extent the application of force is consistent with ORS 339.285 (Definitions for ORS 339.285 to 339.303) to 339.303 (Rules for complaints, investigations and seclusion rooms).

(2)

Subject to ORS 161.237 (Use of physical force involving pressure on throat or neck by peace officer or corrections officer) and 421.107 (Use of dog for cell extraction prohibited), 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 (General definitions).

Source: Section 161.205 — Use of physical force generally, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Generally, existence of statutory defense to criminal prosecution does not necessarily mean that civil liability can be avoided as well. Hatfield v. Gracen, 279 Or 303, 567 P2d 546 (1977)

Where arrest is made with excessive force, arrestee may use reasonable physical force in self-defense against excessive force being used by arresting officer. State v. Wright, 310 Or 430, 799 P2d 642 (1990)

Law Review Citations

19 WLR 166 (1983)

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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