161.363 Procedure for determining fitness to proceed. (1) When the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question, the issue shall be determined by the court. In making the determination, the court may consider:
(a) An examination ordered under ORS 161.365 (1)(c);
(b) Evidence of a prior diagnosis of the defendant made by a certified evaluator or a qualified mental health practitioner;
(c) A prior examination or evaluation of the defendant conducted under ORS 161.309, 161.315, 161.365, 161.370 or 161.371;
(d) Prior judicial determinations that the defendant lacked fitness to proceed;
(e) Prior commitments of the defendant under ORS 427.235 to 427.292 or ORS chapter 426;
(f) The defendant’s conduct as observed by the court;
(g) Prior court records or assessments relating to actions involving the defendant that contain a mental health diagnosis of the defendant;
(h) Relevant information on the defendant’s mental health diagnosis in the possession of the local supervisory authority, if the defendant is under active supervision; and
(i) Any other information the court deems relevant.
(2)(a) The court may hear a motion to find that the defendant is fit to proceed or lacks fitness to proceed from either party. The motion may be made orally or in writing.
(b) If a motion under this subsection is uncontested, the court may make the determination of fitness based on the motion and any supporting evidence. If the motion is contested, the moving party shall file a written motion and supporting evidence with the court, if a written motion has not already been filed.
(3)(a) The court shall hold a hearing on a contested motion as soon as practicable and in accordance with this subsection. If either party requests, or upon the court’s own motion, the court shall hold
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
File SHA-256: 8773685681f1bf26a63d62a05c338a6e76c17f6dd1b69da0a77625951fdf2fe5. The original may include catalog metadata, neighboring provisions, or embedded records outside this collection's scope. This page displays the selected Oregon section record with its printed versions and adjoining notes. Historical editions and unverified snapshots are not a statement of current law.
Authority boundary: official snapshot extraction not current law verified.
Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:161.363 Source file: ors161.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 69723d3d0749a9e7ec6cd1e3b21c824dba7c47e1863f50671a8ba721cd123bfd Retained source evidence SHA-256: 8773685681f1bf26a63d62a05c338a6e76c17f6dd1b69da0a77625951fdf2fe5
Source location: ORS 161.363 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
161.363 Procedure for determining fitness to proceed. (1) When the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question, the issue shall be determined by the court. In making the determination, the court may consider:
(a) An examination ordered under ORS 161.365 (1)(c);
(b) Evidence of a prior diagnosis of the defendant made by a certified evaluator or a qualified mental health practitioner;
(c) A prior examination or evaluation of the defendant conducted under ORS 161.309, 161.315, 161.365, 161.370 or 161.371;
(d) Prior judicial determinations that the defendant lacked fitness to proceed;
(e) Prior commitments of the defendant under ORS 427.235 to 427.292 or ORS chapter 426;
(f) The defendant’s conduct as observed by the court;
(g) Prior court records or assessments relating to actions involving the defendant that contain a mental health diagnosis of the defendant;
(h) Relevant information on the defendant’s mental health diagnosis in the possession of the local supervisory authority, if the defendant is under active supervision; and
(i) Any other information the court deems relevant.
(2)(a) The court may hear a motion to find that the defendant is fit to proceed or lacks fitness to proceed from either party. The motion may be made orally or in writing.
(b) If a motion under this subsection is uncontested, the court may make the determination of fitness based on the motion and any supporting evidence. If the motion is contested, the moving party shall file a written motion and supporting evidence with the court, if a written motion has not already been filed.
(3)(a) The court shall hold a hearing on a contested motion as soon as practicable and in accordance with this subsection. If either party requests, or upon the court’s own motion, the court shall hold a status conference to determine when the contested motion hearing will occur and take up any preliminary matters, including whether to order an examination under ORS 161.365 or to allow additional time for either party to seek an examination or evaluation, or to make any other orders as necessary to ensure expedient resolution of the motion.
(b) When determining when to schedule a contested motion hearing for the purpose of determining whether a defendant is fit or unfit to proceed, the court shall consider:
(A) The condition of the defendant and whether allowing more time will result in the deterioration of the defendant’s mental or physical condition;
(B) Whether allowing more time will impact the state of the evidence supporting the motion;
(C) Whether there are any pending evaluations, and the time needed to complete the examinations or evaluations if ordered or approved by the court;
(D) The nature of the charges; and
(E) Any other factor determined to be relevant to the court.
(4) At the hearing:
(a) The moving party has the burden of proving that the defendant is fit to proceed or lacks fitness to proceed, as applicable, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(b) Either party may call and cross-examine witnesses. Unless the court orders otherwise or either party objects, any party or witness may appear at the hearing by simultaneous electronic transmission at the hearing.
(c) ORS 40.450 to 40.475, 40.505, 40.510 and 40.515 do not apply to the following evidence, if offered for the purpose of establishing a prior diagnosis:
(A) A report from an examination or evaluation of the defendant filed with the court under ORS 161.365, 161.370 or 161.371 for the same defendant from the preceding five years; or
(B) Records from a civil commitment proceeding under ORS 427.235 to 427.292 or ORS chapter 426 concerning the defendant from the preceding five years.
(5) Notwithstanding ORS 161.362 and 426.160, the court may enter an order allowing either party to access or use one or more reports from examinations or evaluations of the defendant filed with the court under ORS 161.365, 161.370 or 161.371 in any case concerning the defendant from the preceding five years, or records from a civil commitment proceeding under ORS 427.235 to 427.292 or ORS chapter 426 concerning the defendant from the preceding five years. Records disclosed under this subsection may only be used for the determination of fitness to proceed.
(6) After the hearing described in this subsection, the court may enter a finding that the defendant is fit to proceed or lacks fitness to proceed, or may request additional information to aid in its determination.
(7) If the court determines that the defendant lacks fitness to proceed, and the court did not receive an examination or evaluation from a certified evaluator for the proceeding before the court, there is a presumption that there is a substantial probability that the defendant may gain or regain fitness to proceed in the foreseeable future.
(8) The failure to contest any issue relating to a fitness to proceed determination under this section does not preclude either party from contesting the same issue at a later time. [2025 c.559 §50]
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
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
161.362 Requirements for recommendations, determinations and orders; confidentiality; electronic appearance. (1) A recommendation provided by a certified evaluator, pursuant to ORS 161.355 to 161.371, that a defendant requires a hospital level of care due to the acuity of the defendant’s symptoms must be based upon the defendant’s current diagnosis and symptomatology, the defendant’s current ability to engage in treatment, present safety concerns relating to the defendant and any other pertinent information known to the evaluator. If the defendant is in a placement in a facility, the evaluator may defer to the treatment provider’s recommendation regarding whether a hospital level of care is needed.
(2) A determination by a community mental health program director, or the director’s designee, pursuant to ORS 161.355 to 161.371, that appropriate community restoration services are not present and available in the community must include information concerning the specific services necessary to safely allow the defendant to gain or regain fitness to proceed in the community and must specify the necessary services that are not present and available in the community.
(3)(a) Reports resulting from examinations performed by a certified evaluator, and documents containing the recommendations of or resulting from consultations with a community mental health program director or the director’s designee, prepared under ORS 161.355 to 161.371, and any document submitted to the court by a state mental hospital or other facility to which the defendant is committed or in which the defendant is placed, related to the proceedings under ORS 161.355 to 161.371, are confidential and may be made available only:
(A) To the court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, agent of the prosecuti
161.365 Fitness to proceed consultation; examination; report; rules. (1)(a) When the court has reason to doubt the defendant’s fitness to proceed by reason of incapacity as described in ORS 161.360, the court may call any witness to assist it in reaching its decision. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the court shall order that a community mental health program director, or the director’s designee, consult with the defendant and with any local entity that would be responsible for providing community restoration services to the defendant if the defendant were to be released in the community, to determine whether appropriate community restoration services are present and available in the community. The court may order the consultation either before or after determining the issue of fitness to proceed. After the consultation, the program director or the director’s designee shall provide to the court a copy of the findings resulting from the consultation.
(b) If the defendant is charged with one or more of the following offenses the court is not required to, but may in its discretion, order the consultation described in paragraph (a) of this subsection:
(A) Aggravated murder;
(B) Murder in any degree;
(C) Attempted aggravated murder;
(D) Attempted murder in any degree;
(E) Manslaughter in any degree;
(F) Aggravated vehicular homicide;
(G) Arson in the first degree when classified as crime category 10 of the sentencing guidelines grid of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission;
(H) Assault in the first degree;
(I) Assault in the second degree;
(J) Kidnapping in the first degree;
(K) Kidnapping in the second degree;
(L) Rape in the first degree;
(M) Sodomy in the first degree;
(N) Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree;
(O) Robber
161.370 Proceedings upon finding of unfitness; commitment; rules. (1) When the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question, the issue shall be determined by the court as described in ORS 161.363.
(2)(a) If the court determines under ORS 161.363 that the defendant lacks fitness to proceed, the criminal proceeding against the defendant shall be suspended and the court shall proceed in accordance with this subsection.
(b) After making the determination under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court shall receive a recommendation from a community mental health program director or the director’s designee, and from any local entity that would be responsible for treating the defendant if the defendant were to be released in the community, concerning whether appropriate community restoration services are present and available in the community.
(c) If the parties agree as to the appropriate action under this section, the court may, after making all findings required by law, enter any order authorized by this section. If the parties do not agree as to the appropriate action, the court and the parties shall, at a hearing, consider an appropriate action in the case, and the court shall make a determination and enter an order necessary to implement the action. In determining the appropriate action, the court shall consider the primary and secondary release criteria as defined in ORS 135.230, the least restrictive option appropriate for the defendant, the needs of the defendant and the interests of justice. Actions may include but are not limited to:
(A) Commitment for the defendant to gain or regain fitness to proceed under subsection (3) or (4) of this section;
(B) An order to engage in community restoration services, as recommended by the community mental health pr
166.273 Relief from firearm prohibitions related to mental health. (1) A person barred from transporting, shipping, possessing or receiving a firearm may file a petition with the Psychiatric Security Review Board for relief from the bar if:
(a) The person is barred from possessing a firearm under ORS 166.250 (1)(c)(D) or (E);
(b) The person is barred from receiving a firearm under ORS 166.470 (1)(e) or (f) or, if the person has been found guilty except for insanity of a misdemeanor involving violence, ORS 166.470 (1)(g); or
(c) The person is barred from possessing, receiving, shipping or transporting a firearm under 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) or (g)(4) as the result of a state mental health determination.
(2) The petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition on:
(a) The Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority; and
(b) The district attorney in each county in which:
(A) The person was committed by a court to the Oregon Health Authority, or adjudicated by a court as a person with mental illness, under ORS 426.130;
(B) The person was committed by a court to the Department of Human Services, or adjudicated by a court as in need of commitment for residential care, treatment and training, under ORS 427.290;
(C) The person was found guilty except for insanity under ORS 161.295;
(D) The person was found responsible except for insanity under ORS 419C.411; or
(E) The person was found by a court to lack fitness to proceed under ORS 161.363 and 161.370.
(3) Following receipt of the petition, the board shall conduct a contested case hearing, make written findings of fact and conclusions of law on the issues before the board and issue a final order.
(4) The state and any person or entity described in subsection (2) of this section may appear and object to an