161.327 Commitment or conditional release of person found guilty except for insanity of felony; consultation; evaluation; appeal; rules. (1) After the defendant is found guilty except for insanity pursuant to ORS 161.319, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a person found guilty except for insanity of a felony is affected by a qualifying mental disorder and presents a substantial danger to others, the court shall order as follows:
(a) If the court finds that the person is not a proper subject for conditional release, the court shall order the person committed to a state hospital or, if the person is under 18 years of age, to a secure intensive community inpatient facility for custody, care and treatment. When the court orders a person committed under this paragraph, the court shall place the person under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.
(b) If the court finds that the person can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment if conditionally released and that necessary supervision and treatment are available, the court shall order the person conditionally released.
(2)(a) If a party intends to request conditional release under this section, the party shall, as soon as practicable, notify the opposing party, the court and the board of the request. The party requesting conditional release shall make every effort to provide the notification in a manner that allows sufficient time to carry out the provisions described in this subsection before the court determination on conditional release.
(b) Upon receipt of a request for conditional release under this section:
(A) If the most serious offense in the charging instrument is a Class C felony, the court shall order that a local mental health program designated by
Stored review status: 2025_edition_later_amendments_unresolved. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.
Official chapter context and edition notices
TITLE 16
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
Chapter 161. General Provisions
162. Offenses Against the State and Public Justice
163. Offenses Against Persons
163A. Sex Offender Reporting and Classification
164. Offenses Against Property
165. Offenses Involving Fraud or Deception
166. Offenses Against Public Order; Firearms and Other Weapons; Racketeering
167. Offenses Against General Welfare and Animals
169. Local and Regional Correctional Facilities; Prisoners; Juvenile Facilities
_______________
Chapter 161 — General Provisions
Uncodified sections printed in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of uncodified sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables
2025 EDITION
GENERAL PROVISIONS
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
PRINCIPLES
CRIMINAL LIABILITY
PARTIES TO CRIME
JUSTIFICATION
RESPONSIBILITY
(Temporary provisions relating to maximum periods of commitment and community restoration are compiled as notes following ORS 161.371)
INCHOATE CRIMES
CLASSES OF OFFENSES
DISPOSITION OF OFFENDERS
AUTHORITY OF SENTENCING COURT
PRINCIPLES
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Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:161.327 Source file: ors161.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: e9228626107e66f35d1e451b86aba7ab085365b528845b340b636041733ece9e Retained source evidence SHA-256: 8773685681f1bf26a63d62a05c338a6e76c17f6dd1b69da0a77625951fdf2fe5
Source location: ORS 161.327 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
161.327 Commitment or conditional release of person found guilty except for insanity of felony; consultation; evaluation; appeal; rules. (1) After the defendant is found guilty except for insanity pursuant to ORS 161.319, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a person found guilty except for insanity of a felony is affected by a qualifying mental disorder and presents a substantial danger to others, the court shall order as follows:
(a) If the court finds that the person is not a proper subject for conditional release, the court shall order the person committed to a state hospital or, if the person is under 18 years of age, to a secure intensive community inpatient facility for custody, care and treatment. When the court orders a person committed under this paragraph, the court shall place the person under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.
(b) If the court finds that the person can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment if conditionally released and that necessary supervision and treatment are available, the court shall order the person conditionally released.
(2)(a) If a party intends to request conditional release under this section, the party shall, as soon as practicable, notify the opposing party, the court and the board of the request. The party requesting conditional release shall make every effort to provide the notification in a manner that allows sufficient time to carry out the provisions described in this subsection before the court determination on conditional release.
(b) Upon receipt of a request for conditional release under this section:
(A) If the most serious offense in the charging instrument is a Class C felony, the court shall order that a local mental health program designated by the board consult with the person to determine whether the necessary supervision and treatment for the person are available in the community and appropriate for the person and shall order the release of any records to the program director that are necessary to complete the consultation.
(B) If the most serious offense in the charging instrument is a Class A or Class B felony, the court may order that a local mental health program designated by the board consult with the person to determine whether the necessary supervision and treatment for the person are available in the community and appropriate for the person. If the court orders the consultation, the court shall further order the release of any records to the program director that are necessary to complete the consultation.
(3)(a) If the outcome of a consultation described in subsection (2)(b) of this section indicates that the necessary supervision and treatment are available in the community and appropriate for the person, the local mental health program shall evaluate the person to determine whether the person can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment if conditionally released, and the program director shall provide to the court and to the board a report of the findings resulting from the consultation, a report of the findings resulting from the evaluation and recommendations for treatment.
(b) If the outcome of a consultation described in subsection (2)(b) of this section indicates that the necessary supervision and treatment for the person are not available in the community or not appropriate for the person, the program director shall submit to the court and to the board a report of the findings resulting from the consultation and may include any recommendations for treatment.
(4) In determining whether a person should be conditionally released, the court:
(a) May order evaluations and examinations as provided in ORS 161.336 (3) and 161.346 (2) or as otherwise needed by the court;
(b) Shall act in conformance with subsection (2)(b) of this section concerning an order for a local mental health program designated by the board to consult with the person;
(c) Shall have as its primary concern the protection of society; and
(d) May not order conditional release without a report from the consultation described in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the evaluation described in subsection (3)(b) of this section.
(5) When a person is conditionally released under this section, the person is subject to those supervisory orders of the court as are in the best interests of justice, the protection of society and the welfare of the person. The court shall designate a person or state, county or local agency to supervise the person upon release, subject to those conditions as the court directs in the order for conditional release. Prior to the designation, the court shall notify the person or agency to whom conditional release is contemplated and provide the person or agency an opportunity to be heard before the court. After receiving an order entered under subsection (1)(b) of this section, the person or agency designated shall assume supervision of the person pursuant to the direction of the board. The person or agency designated as supervisor shall be required to report in writing no less than once per month to the board concerning the supervised person’s compliance with the conditions of release.
(6) Upon placing a person on conditional release, the court shall within one judicial day provide to the board an electronic copy of the conditional release order. The court shall additionally notify the board in writing of the supervisor appointed and all other conditions of release, and the person shall be on conditional release pending hearing before the board. Upon compliance with this section, the court’s jurisdiction over the person is terminated.
(7) The total period of commitment or conditional release under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 may not exceed the maximum sentence provided by statute for the crime for which the person was found guilty except for insanity.
(8) An order of the court under this section is a final order appealable by the person found guilty except for insanity in accordance with ORS 19.205 (5). Notwithstanding ORS 19.255, notice of an appeal under this section shall be served and filed within 90 days after the order appealed from is entered in the register. The person shall be entitled on appeal to suitable counsel possessing skills and experience commensurate with the nature and complexity of the case. If the person is financially eligible, suitable counsel shall be appointed in the manner provided in ORS 138.500 (1), and the compensation for counsel and costs and expenses of the person necessary to the appeal shall be determined and paid as provided in ORS 138.500.
(9) Following the order described in subsection (1) of this section, the court shall notify the person of the right to appeal and the right to a hearing before the board in accordance with ORS 161.336 (5) and 161.341 (3).
(10) The board shall hold a review hearing within 90 days for a person conditionally released under this section.
(11) The board shall establish by rule standards for the consultations described in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the evaluations described in subsection (3)(a) of this section. [1979 c.867 §5; 1979 c.885 §2; 1981 c.711 §2; 1981 s.s. c.3 §129; 1983 c.800 §6; 1989 c.790 §48; 1995 c.208 §1; 2001 c.962 §89; 2003 c.576 §§578,579; 2005 c.685 §§1,1a; 2009 c.595 §102; 2011 c.708 §36; 2011 c.724 §3; 2013 c.1 §9; 2017 c.442 §12; 2017 c.634 §7; 2019 c.329 §3; 2021 c.483 §1]
Cross-references
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Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
161.315 Right of state to obtain mental examination of defendant; limitations; report. (1) Upon filing of notice or the introduction of evidence by the defendant as provided in ORS 161.309, the state shall have the right to have at least one psychiatrist or licensed psychologist of its selection examine the defendant. The state shall file notice with the court of its intention to have the defendant examined.
(2)(a) Upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a state mental hospital or any other suitable facility, if the defendant is 18 years of age or older, for observation and examination, which may include treatment as permitted by law.
(b) If the defendant is under 18 years of age, upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a secure intensive community inpatient facility designated by the Oregon Health Authority for examination.
(c) The state mental hospital or other facility may retain custody of a defendant committed under this subsection only for the duration necessary to complete the observation and examination of the defendant, not to exceed 30 days.
(3) If the defendant objects to the examiner chosen by the state, the court for good cause shown may direct the state to select a different examiner.
(4) An examiner performing an examination on the issue of insanity of a defendant under this section is not obligated to examine the defendant for fitness to proceed unless, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question. If, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is in doubt, the examiner shall report the issue to the court and to the superintendent of th
161.319 Form of verdict on guilty except for insanity. When the defendant is found guilty except for insanity under ORS 161.295, the verdict and judgment shall so state. [1971 c.743 §43; 1977 c.380 §4; 1983 c.800 §4]
161.336 Conditional release by board; order for return; termination or modification of conditional release; hearing. (1)(a) When a person is conditionally released under ORS 161.315 to 161.351, the person is subject to those supervisory orders of the Psychiatric Security Review Board as are in the best interests of justice, the protection of society and the welfare of the person.
(b) An order of conditional release entered by the board may designate any person or state, county or local agency capable of supervising the person upon release, subject to the conditions described in the order of conditional release.
(c) Prior to the designation, the board shall notify the person or state, county or local agency to whom conditional release is contemplated and provide the person or state, county or local agency an opportunity to be heard.
(d) After receiving an order entered under this section, the person or state, county or local agency designated in the order shall assume supervision of the person in accordance with the conditions described in the order and any modifications of the conditions ordered by the board.
(2) Conditions of release contained in orders entered under this section may be modified from time to time and conditional releases may be terminated as provided in ORS 161.351.
(3)(a) As a condition of release, the person may be required to report to any state or local mental health facility for evaluation. Whenever medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment is recommended, the order may require the person, as a condition of release, to cooperate with and accept the treatment from the facility.
(b) The facility to which the person has been referred for evaluation shall perform the evaluation and submit a written report of its findings to the board. If t
161.309 Notice of mental defense; when report required; contents of report; plea. (1) The defendant may not introduce evidence on the issue of insanity under ORS 161.295, unless the defendant:
(a) Gives notice of intent to do so in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section; and
(b) Files with the court a report of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, conducted by a certified evaluator, in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) The defendant may not introduce in the case in chief expert testimony regarding partial responsibility or diminished capacity under ORS 161.300 unless the defendant gives notice of intent to do so in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(3)(a) A defendant who is required under subsection (1) or (2) of this section to give notice shall file a written notice of purpose at least 45 days before trial.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court may, for good cause, permit the defendant to file the notice within 45 days before trial.
(c) If the defendant fails to file notice under this subsection, the defendant may not introduce evidence for the establishment of a defense under ORS 161.295 or 161.300 unless the court, in its discretion, permits the evidence to be introduced where just cause for failure to file the notice is shown.
(4) A defendant who is required under subsection (1) of this section to file a report of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation shall file the report before trial. The report must be based on an evaluation conducted after the date of the alleged offense and must address the issue of insanity under ORS 161.295 and the dispositional determination described in ORS 161.325. If the defendant fails to file a complete report before trial, the defen
161.313 Jury instructions; insanity. When the issue of insanity under ORS 161.295 is submitted to be determined by a jury in the trial court, the court shall instruct the jury in accordance with ORS 161.327. [1983 c.800 §16]
161.325 Finding of guilty except for insanity; dispositional order. (1) After the defendant is found guilty except for insanity, the court shall, on the basis of the evidence given at the trial or at a separate hearing, if requested by either party, order a disposition as provided in ORS 161.327, 161.328 or 161.329, whichever is appropriate.
(2) If the court enters an order as provided in ORS 161.327, it shall also:
(a) Determine on the record the offense of which the person otherwise would have been convicted;
(b) State on the record the qualifying mental disorder on which the defendant relied for the guilty except for insanity defense;
(c) State on the record the maximum total period of commitment or conditional discharge under ORS 161.327 (7); and
(d) Make specific findings on whether there is a victim of the crime for which the defendant has been found guilty except for insanity and, if so, whether the victim wishes to be notified, under ORS 161.326, of any hearings and orders concerning the defendant and of any conditional release, discharge or escape of the defendant.
(3) The court shall include in its order the information described in subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Except under circumstances described in ORS 137.076 (4), whenever a defendant charged with any offense listed in ORS 137.076 (1) has been found guilty of that offense except for insanity, the court shall, in any order entered under ORS 161.327, 161.328 or 161.329, direct the defendant to submit to the obtaining of a blood or buccal sample in the manner provided in ORS 137.076. [1971 c.743 §44; 1977 c.380 §5; 1979 c.885 §1; 1981 c.711 §1; 1983 c.800 §5; 1991 c.669 §8; 1999 c.97 §2; 2005 c.337 §1; 2010 c.89 §9; 2011 c.708 §40; 2011 c.724 §2; 2017 c.634 §6; 2019 c.329 §2; 2021 c.483 §3]
161.341 Application for discharge or conditional release; release plan; examination; right to hearing. (1) If at any time after a person is committed under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 to a state hospital or a secure intensive community inpatient facility, the superintendent of the hospital or the director of the secure intensive community inpatient facility is of the opinion that the person is no longer affected by a qualifying mental disorder, or, if so affected, no longer presents a substantial danger to others or that the person continues to be affected by a qualifying mental disorder and continues to be a danger to others, but that the person can be controlled with proper care, medication, supervision and treatment if conditionally released, the superintendent or director shall apply to the Psychiatric Security Review Board for an order of discharge or conditional release. The application shall be accompanied by a report setting forth the facts supporting the opinion of the superintendent or director. If the application is for conditional release, the application must be accompanied by a verified conditional release plan. The board shall hold a hearing on the application within 60 days of its receipt. Not less than 20 days prior to the hearing before the board, copies of the report shall be sent to the Attorney General.
(2) The attorney representing the state may choose a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist to examine the person prior to the initial or any later decision by the board on discharge or conditional release. The results of the examination shall be in writing and filed with the board, and shall include, but need not be limited to, an opinion as to the mental condition of the person, whether the person presents a substantial danger to others and whether the
161.349 Person committed under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 sentenced to term of incarceration. (1) When a person who is committed to a state hospital or a secure intensive community inpatient facility under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 is convicted of a crime and sentenced to a term of incarceration and when the person is sentenced to a term of incarceration as a sanction for violating the conditions of probation, parole or post-prison supervision, the sentencing court shall stay execution of the sentence pending the conditional release or discharge of the person or the expiration of the period of time described in ORS 161.327 (7). When the person is conditionally released or discharged by the Psychiatric Security Review Board under ORS 161.315 to 161.351, or when the maximum period of jurisdiction described in ORS 161.327 (7) expires, the stay shall be lifted by operation of law and the person shall be delivered to the custody of the Department of Corrections or the supervisory authority to begin service of the sentence imposed.
(2) When a person described in subsection (1) of this section is delivered to the custody of the department or the supervisory authority as described in this section, the board shall notify the department or the supervisory authority when the period of time described in ORS 161.327 (7) will expire.
(3) The department or supervisory authority shall notify the board when the person has served the term of incarceration imposed by the court and the board shall resume exercising active jurisdiction over the person in accordance with ORS 161.315 to 161.351.
(4) As used in this section, “supervisory authority” has the meaning given that term in ORS 144.087. [2011 c.708 §15; 2011 c.708 §39; 2017 c.442 §13; 2021 c.483 §4]
163A.105 When risk assessments performed; classification into risk level; review; rules. (1) When a person convicted of a crime described in ORS 163.355 to 163.427 is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a Department of Corrections institution for that crime, the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision shall assess the person utilizing the risk assessment methodology described in ORS 163A.100. The board shall apply the results of the assessment to place the person in one of the levels described in ORS 163A.100 before the person is released from custody.
(2) When a person convicted of a sex crime is sentenced to a term of incarceration in a jail, or is discharged, released or placed on probation by the court, the supervisory authority as defined in ORS 144.087 shall assess the person utilizing the risk assessment methodology described in ORS 163A.100 and apply the results of the assessment to place the person in one of the levels described in ORS 163A.100 no later than 90 days after the person is released from jail or discharged, released or placed on probation by the court.
(3)(a) When a person is found guilty except for insanity of a sex crime, the Psychiatric Security Review Board shall assess the person utilizing the risk assessment methodology described in ORS 163A.100 and apply the results of the assessment to place the person in one of the levels described in ORS 163A.100 no later than 90 days after the person is:
(A) Placed on conditional release by the Psychiatric Security Review Board;
(B) Discharged from the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board;
(C) Placed on conditional release by the court pursuant to ORS 161.327; or
(D) Discharged by the court pursuant to ORS 161.329.
(b) If the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Super