163.765 Restraining order; service of order; request for hearing; duration of order. (1) When a petition is filed in accordance with ORS 163.763, the circuit court shall hold an ex parte hearing in person or by telephone on the day the petition is filed or on the following judicial day. Upon a finding that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the petitioner’s situation to fear for the person’s physical safety if an order granting relief under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 is not entered and that the respondent has subjected the petitioner to sexual abuse, the circuit court:
(a) Shall enter an order restraining the respondent from contacting the petitioner and from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing the petitioner, or attempting to intimidate, molest, interfere with or menace the petitioner.
(b) If the petitioner requests, may order:
(A) That the respondent be restrained from contacting the petitioner’s children or family or household members;
(B) That the respondent be restrained from entering, or attempting to enter, a reasonable area surrounding the petitioner’s residence;
(C) That the respondent be restrained from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing any children or family or household members of the petitioner, or attempting to intimidate, molest, interfere with or menace any children or family or household members of the petitioner;
(D) That the respondent be restrained from entering, or attempting to enter, any premises and a reasonable area surrounding the premises when necessary to prevent the respondent from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing the petitioner or the petitioner’s children or family or household members; and
(E) Other relief necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the petitio
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
Chapter 163 — Offenses Against Persons
2025 EDITION
OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
HOMICIDE
ASSAULT AND RELATED OFFENSES
KIDNAPPING AND RELATED OFFENSES
COERCION
SEXUAL OFFENSES
OFFENSES AGAINST FAMILY
VISUAL RECORDING OF SEXUAL CONDUCT OF CHILDREN
INVASION OF PRIVACY
MISCELLANEOUS
STALKING
SEXUAL ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDERS
HOMICIDE
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Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:163.765 Source file: ors163.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 449cedba321808df9329f834551e7fa583dce8ffe8244910141128a6b0444eea Retained source evidence SHA-256: 81109a43a5631ebec4ebfde641092a6c60ecd13ec77452c9939b53ff86a4d40c
Source location: ORS 163.765 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
163.765 Restraining order; service of order; request for hearing; duration of order. (1) When a petition is filed in accordance with ORS 163.763, the circuit court shall hold an ex parte hearing in person or by telephone on the day the petition is filed or on the following judicial day. Upon a finding that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the petitioner’s situation to fear for the person’s physical safety if an order granting relief under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 is not entered and that the respondent has subjected the petitioner to sexual abuse, the circuit court:
(a) Shall enter an order restraining the respondent from contacting the petitioner and from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing the petitioner, or attempting to intimidate, molest, interfere with or menace the petitioner.
(b) If the petitioner requests, may order:
(A) That the respondent be restrained from contacting the petitioner’s children or family or household members;
(B) That the respondent be restrained from entering, or attempting to enter, a reasonable area surrounding the petitioner’s residence;
(C) That the respondent be restrained from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing any children or family or household members of the petitioner, or attempting to intimidate, molest, interfere with or menace any children or family or household members of the petitioner;
(D) That the respondent be restrained from entering, or attempting to enter, any premises and a reasonable area surrounding the premises when necessary to prevent the respondent from intimidating, molesting, interfering with or menacing the petitioner or the petitioner’s children or family or household members; and
(E) Other relief necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the petitioner or the petitioner’s children or family or household members.
(2) If the respondent is restrained from entering or attempting to enter an area surrounding the petitioner’s residence or any other premises, the restraining order must specifically describe the area or premises.
(3) When the circuit court enters a restraining order under this section, the court shall set a security amount for the violation of the order.
(4) If the circuit court enters a restraining order under subsection (1) of this section:
(a) The clerk of the court shall provide, without charge, the number of certified true copies of the petition and the restraining order necessary to provide the petitioner with one copy and to effect service and shall have a true copy of the petition and the restraining order delivered to the county sheriff for service upon the respondent, unless the circuit court finds that further service is unnecessary because the respondent appeared in person before the court. In addition and upon request by the petitioner, the clerk of the court shall provide the petitioner, without charge, two exemplified copies of the petition and the restraining order.
(b) The county sheriff shall serve the respondent personally unless the petitioner elects to have the respondent served personally by another party. Proof of service shall be made in accordance with ORS 163.773. When the restraining order does not contain the respondent’s date of birth and service is effected by the sheriff, the sheriff shall verify the respondent’s date of birth with the respondent and shall record that date on the restraining order or proof of service entered into the Law Enforcement Data System under ORS 163.773.
(5)(a) If the county sheriff:
(A) Determines that the restraining order and petition are incomplete, the sheriff shall return the restraining order and petition to the clerk of the court. The clerk of the court shall notify the petitioner, at the address provided by the petitioner, of the error or omission.
(B) Cannot complete service within 10 days after accepting the restraining order and petition, the sheriff shall notify the petitioner, at the address provided by the petitioner, that the documents have not been served. If the petitioner does not respond within 10 days, the sheriff shall hold the restraining order and petition for future service and file a return to the clerk of the court showing that service was not completed.
(b) If a petitioner receives notice of incomplete service under paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection and cannot effect service on the respondent within 30 days after the granting or renewal of the restraining order, the circuit court may order service by an alternative method in accordance with ORCP 7 D(6) on proof of the petitioner’s due diligence in attempting to effect service. If appropriate, the court may order the use of a summons to effect service. The summons must include notice of where the respondent may obtain a complete copy of the order.
(6)(a) Within 30 days after a restraining order is served under this section, the respondent may request a circuit court hearing upon any relief granted.
(b) If the respondent requests a hearing under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the clerk of the court shall notify the petitioner of the date and time of the hearing and shall supply the petitioner with a copy of the respondent’s request for a hearing. The petitioner shall give the clerk of the court information sufficient to allow such notification.
(7) If the respondent fails to request a hearing within 30 days after a restraining order is served, the restraining order is confirmed by operation of law.
(8)(a) A restraining order entered under this section is effective for a period of five years or, if the petitioner is under 18 years of age at the time of entry, until January 1 of the year following the petitioner’s 18th birthday, whichever occurs later, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection or unless the restraining order is renewed, modified or terminated in accordance with ORS 163.760 to 163.777.
(b) The circuit court shall enter a permanent restraining order if, at the time of the petition or renewal of the order, the respondent has been convicted of a crime described in ORS 163.355 to 163.445 committed against the petitioner.
(c) The circuit court may enter a permanent restraining order if the court finds that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the petitioner’s situation to fear for the person’s physical safety and that the passage of time or a change in circumstances would not dissipate that fear. In making the finding, the court shall consider any information offered by the petitioner to support the request for a permanent restraining order, including but not limited to:
(A) Information that the respondent has a history of engaging in sexual abuse or domestic violence as defined in ORS 135.230;
(B) If the petitioner is a minor, the fact that the respondent is related to the petitioner by blood or marriage; or
(C) Any vulnerability of the petitioner that is not likely to change over time. [2013 c.687 §3; 2019 c.353 §2; 2021 c.496 §§1,2]
Note: See note under 163.760.
Cross-references
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Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
163.355 Rape in the third degree. (1) A person commits the crime of rape in the third degree if the person has sexual intercourse with another person under 16 years of age.
(2) Rape in the third degree is a Class C felony. [1971 c.743 §109; 1991 c.628 §1]
163.760 Definitions for ORS 163.760 to 163.777. As used in ORS 163.760 to 163.777:
(1) “Declaration under penalty of perjury,” “family or household members,” “interfere,” “intimidate,” “menace” and “molest” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 107.705.
(2) “Sexual abuse” means sexual contact with:
(a) A person who does not consent to the sexual contact; or
(b) A person who is considered incapable of consenting to a sexual act under ORS 163.315, unless the sexual contact would be lawful under ORS 163.325 or 163.345.
(3) “Sexual contact” has the meaning given that term in ORS 163.305. [2013 c.687 §1; 2015 c.121 §21]
Note: 163.760 to 163.777 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 163 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
163.763 Petition to circuit court for relief; burden of proof. (1) A person who has been subjected to sexual abuse and who reasonably fears for the person’s physical safety may petition the circuit court for a restraining order if:
(a) The person and the respondent are not family or household members;
(b) The respondent is at least 18 years of age; and
(c) The respondent is not prohibited from contacting the person pursuant to a foreign restraining order as defined in ORS 24.190, an order issued under ORS 30.866, 124.015, 124.020, 163.738 or 419B.845 or an order entered in a criminal action.
(2)(a) A petition seeking relief under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 must be filed in the circuit court for the county in which the petitioner or the respondent resides or in which the abuse occurred. The petition may be filed, without the appointment of a guardian ad litem, by a person who is at least 12 years of age or by a parent or lawful guardian of a person who is under 18 years of age.
(b) The petition must allege that:
(A) The petitioner reasonably fears for the petitioner’s physical safety with respect to the respondent; and
(B) The respondent subjected the petitioner to sexual abuse.
(c) The petition must include allegations made under oath or affirmation or a declaration under penalty of perjury.
(d) The petitioner has the burden of proving a claim under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 by a preponderance of the evidence. [2013 c.687 §2; 2015 c.121 §22; 2019 c.353 §1; 2024 c.42 §3]
Note: See note under 163.760.
163.773 Enforcement of restraining order; service by sheriff; termination order; contempt proceeding. (1)(a) When a restraining order is issued in accordance with ORS 163.760 to 163.777 and the person to be restrained has actual notice of the restraining order, the clerk of the court or any other person serving the petition and the restraining order shall immediately deliver to a county sheriff copies of the petition and the restraining order and a true copy of proof of service on which it is stated that the petition and the restraining order were served personally on the respondent. If alternative service is ordered by the court, the person performing service shall instead immediately deliver to the county sheriff copies of the petition, the restraining order and, if applicable, the summons, and a true copy of proof of service on which it is stated that alternative service was completed in accordance with ORCP 7 D(6). Proof of service may be made by affidavit or by declaration under penalty of perjury. If a restraining order entered by the circuit court recites that the respondent appeared in person before the court, the necessity for service of the restraining order and proof of service is waived.
(b) Upon receipt of a copy of the restraining order and notice of completion of any required service by a member of a law enforcement agency, the county sheriff shall immediately enter the restraining order into the Law Enforcement Data System maintained by the Department of State Police and the databases of the National Crime Information Center of the United States Department of Justice. If the petition and the restraining order were served on the respondent by a person other than a member of a law enforcement agency, or if alternative service was ordered by the court and
163.767 Hearing; order; certificate of compliance; consent agreement. (1) If the respondent requests a hearing under ORS 163.765 (6), the circuit court shall hold the hearing within 21 days after the request. At the hearing, the circuit court may terminate or modify the restraining order issued under ORS 163.765.
(2)(a) If service of a notice of hearing is inadequate to provide a party with sufficient notice of the hearing, the circuit court may extend the date of the hearing for up to five days so that the party may seek representation.
(b) If one party is represented by an attorney at the hearing, the circuit court may extend the date of the hearing for up to five days at the other party’s request so that the other party may seek representation.
(3) If the circuit court continues the restraining order issued under ORS 163.765, with or without modification, at a hearing about which the respondent received actual notice and the opportunity to be heard, the court shall include in the restraining order a certificate in substantially the following form in a separate section immediately above the signature of the judge:
______________________________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
WITH THE VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN ACT OF 1994
This protective order meets all full faith and credit requirements of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. 2265. This court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter. The respondent was afforded notice and timely opportunity to be heard as provided by the law of this jurisdiction. This protective order is valid and entitled to enforcement in this and all other jurisdictions.
______________________________________________________________________________
(4) The circuit court
163.770 Appearance by telephone or electronic communication device. (1) A party may file a motion under ORS 45.400 requesting that the circuit court allow the appearance of the party or a witness by telephone or by other two-way electronic communication device in a proceeding under ORS 163.760 to 163.777.
(2) In determining whether notice is given sufficiently in advance of the proceeding under ORS 45.400 (2), the circuit court shall consider the expedited nature of a proceeding under ORS 163.760 to 163.777.
(3) In addition to the factors listed in ORS 45.400 (3)(b) that would support a finding of good cause, the circuit court shall consider whether the safety or welfare of the party or witness would be threatened if testimony were required to be provided in person at a proceeding under ORS 163.760 to 163.777.
(4) A motion or good cause determination is not required for ex parte hearings held by telephone under ORS 163.765. [2013 c.687 §5; 2017 c.240 §4; 2025 c.23 §3]
Note: See note under 163.760.
163.775 Renewal and modification of restraining order. (1)(a) A circuit court may renew a restraining order entered under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 upon a finding that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the petitioner’s situation to fear for the person’s physical safety if the restraining order is not renewed. A finding that the respondent has subjected the petitioner to additional sexual abuse is not required.
(b) A circuit court may renew a restraining order on the basis of an ex parte petition alleging facts supporting the required finding. The petition must include allegations made under oath or affirmation or a declaration under penalty of perjury. If the renewal order is granted, the provisions of ORS 163.765 (4) to (8) and 163.767 (3) apply, except that the court may hear no issue other than the basis for renewal, unless requested in the hearing request form and thereafter agreed to by the petitioner. The circuit court shall hold a hearing required under this paragraph within 21 days after the respondent’s request.
(2) At any time after the time period set forth in ORS 163.765 (6):
(a) A party may request that the circuit court modify terms in the restraining order for good cause shown.
(b) A petitioner may request that the circuit court remove terms in the restraining order or make terms in the order less restrictive. Application to the circuit court under this paragraph may be by ex parte motion.
(3) The clerk of the court shall provide without charge the number of certified true copies of the request for modification of the restraining order and notice of hearing necessary to effect service and, at the election of the party requesting the modification, shall have a true copy of the request and notice delivered to the county sheriff for service upon