ORS 813.300
Use of blood alcohol percentage as evidence

  • percentage required for being under the influence

(1)

At the trial of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding arising out of the acts committed by a person driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, if the amount of alcohol in the person’s blood at the time alleged is less than 0.08 percent by weight of alcohol as shown by chemical analysis of the person’s breath or blood, it is indirect evidence that may be used with other evidence, if any, to determine whether or not the person was then under the influence of intoxicants.

(2)

Not less than 0.08 percent by weight of alcohol in a person’s blood constitutes being under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

(3)

Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, for purposes of the Motorist Implied Consent Law as defined in ORS 801.010 (Short title), for a person who is under 21 years of age, any amount of alcohol in the blood constitutes being under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

(4)

Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or based upon grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

(5)

ORS 813.010 (Driving under the influence of intoxicants) (1)(d) may not be construed to limit the admissibility of any evidence of the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood as shown by chemical analysis of the person’s breath or blood, in any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding arising out of the acts committed by the person driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants. [1983 c.338 §590; 1985 c.16 §297; 1989 c.715 §7; 1991 c.860 §8; 2011 c.260 §1; 2021 c.480 §3]

Source: Section 813.300 — Use of blood alcohol percentage as evidence; percentage required for being under the influence, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors813.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Under former similar statute

Court must make preliminary determination as to whether witness had valid current permit to operate breathalyzer at time of test, and comment of court that officer was qualified to operate machine did not invade province of jury. State v. Winters, 34 Or App 157, 578 P2d 439 (1978), Sup Ct review denied

Blood test results were admissible in trial for manslaughter though performed by criminologists not in possession of valid permit required by [former] ORS 487.815, as [former] ORS 487.820 permits introduction of any competent, relevant evidence in proceeding other than for driving under influence of intoxicants notwithstanding violations of implied consent law. State v. Heintz, 34 Or App 175, 578 P2d 447 (1978) as modified by 35 Or App 155, 580 P2d 1064 (1978), aff’d 286 Or 239, 594 P2d 385 (1979)

Defendant may offer testimony of non-expert witness relating to any or all common signs of intoxication for purpose of attacking accuracy of blood alcohol test without first laying foundation by expert witness. State v. Clark, 286 Or 33, 593 P2d 123 (1979)

In order for test results to determine blood alcohol level to be admissible under this section they must be performed by person with valid permit from Health Division. State v. Hilton, 49 Or App 927, 620 P2d 970 (1980), Sup Ct review denied

Use of term “motor vehicle” in this section instead of “vehicle” used elsewhere in vehicles statutes did not preclude admission of breathalyzer test results where defendant was coasting vehicle down hill without engine running. State v. Fisher, 57 Or App 776, 646 P2d 652 (1982)

Fact that legislature has adopted certain percentage of alcohol in the blood as legally constituting being under influence of intoxicants is not relevant circumstantial evidence in civil case to show driver was visibly intoxicated. Chartrand v. Coos Bay Tavern, 298 Or 689, 696 P2d 513 (1985)

In general

Where, at hearing, police officer testified that all statutory and administrative requirements, including 15-minute pretest period had been met and trial judge was satisfied with proof except for failure of officer to testify to precise time when observation began and sample was taken, officer’s testimony that test was performed in accordance with such requirements was substantial evidence sufficient to support hearings officer’s orders. Andries v. MVD, 88 Or App 425, 745 P2d 809 (1987)

813.010
Driving under the influence of intoxicants
813.011
Felony driving under the influence of intoxicants
813.012
Crime classification for purposes of rules of Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
813.017
Arraignment
813.020
Fee to be paid on conviction
813.021
Requirements for screening interview and treatment program
813.022
Proof of treatment
813.023
Alternative payment methods for screening interview or treatment program
813.025
Designation of agency to perform screening interview and treatment program
813.030
Amount of fee
813.040
Standards for determination of problem condition involving alcohol, inhalants or controlled substances
813.050
Out-of-service orders for operators of commercial motor vehicles
813.055
Civil penalty for violation of out-of-service order or notice
813.095
Offense of refusal to take a test for intoxicants
813.100
Implied consent to breath or blood test
813.110
Temporary permit upon confiscation of license
813.120
Police report to department
813.130
Rights of and consequences for person asked to take test
813.131
Implied consent to urine test
813.132
Consequences of refusing to take urine test
813.135
Implied consent to field sobriety tests
813.136
Consequence of refusal or failure to submit to field sobriety tests
813.140
Chemical test with consent
813.150
Chemical test at request of arrested person
813.160
Methods of conducting chemical analyses
813.170
Plea agreement prohibited
813.200
Notice of availability of diversion
813.210
Petition
813.215
Eligibility for diversion
813.220
Matters to be considered by court in determining to allow diversion agreement
813.222
Right of victim to be present at hearing
813.225
Petition for extension of diversion period
813.230
Diversion agreement
813.233
Exemption from completing treatment program in this state
813.235
Attendance at victim impact treatment session as condition of diversion
813.240
Amount and distribution of filing fee
813.245
Booking
813.250
Motion to dismiss charge on completion of diversion
813.252
Motion to dismiss charge when minimal fine amount remains
813.255
Termination of diversion
813.260
Designation of agencies to perform screening interviews
813.270
Intoxicated Driver Program Fund
813.300
Use of blood alcohol percentage as evidence
813.310
Refusal to take chemical test admissible as evidence
813.320
Effect of implied consent law on evidence
813.322
Department of State Police rules regarding breath tests as evidence
813.324
Use of testimony from implied consent hearing as evidence in prosecution
813.326
Felony driving while under the influence of intoxicants
813.328
Notice of intent to challenge validity of prior convictions
813.400
Suspension or revocation upon conviction
813.410
Suspension upon receipt of police report on implied consent test
813.412
Role of police officer in implied consent hearing
813.420
Duration of suspension for refusal or failure of test
813.430
Grounds for increase in duration of suspension
813.440
Grounds for hearing on validity of suspension
813.450
Appeal from suspension for refusal or failure of breath test
813.460
Department procedures upon verification of suspension of driving privileges of wrong person
813.470
Department notation on record of person acquitted after suspension
813.520
Limitations on authority to issue hardship permit or reinstate driving privileges
813.599
Definitions
813.600
Ignition interlock program
813.602
Circumstances under which ignition interlock device required
813.603
Waiver of costs of ignition interlock device
813.604
Notice of court order
813.606
Exception for employee otherwise required to have device
813.608
Knowingly furnishing motor vehicle without ignition interlock device
813.610
Soliciting another to blow into ignition interlock device
813.612
Unlawfully blowing into ignition interlock device
813.614
Tampering with ignition interlock device
813.616
Use of certain moneys to pay for ignition interlock program
813.620
Suspension of driving privileges for failing to provide proof of device installation or for tampering with device
813.630
Notice of ignition interlock device installation and negative reports
813.635
Consequence for negative reports generated from ignition interlock device
813.640
Additional treatment following negative reports
813.645
Motion to vacate requirement to install and use ignition interlock device
813.660
Service center and manufacturer’s representative certification
813.665
Criminal background check for technicians
813.670
Complaint process
813.680
Ignition Interlock Device Management Fund
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