The Oregon Harassment Laws & Penalties Guide
What Is Harassment In Oregon?
In Oregon, harassment is defined under ORS 166.065 as intentionally annoying or alarming another person by engaging in unwanted physical contact, publicly insulting another person through abusive words or gestures that are likely to provoke a violent response, or by engaging in conduct that is likely to harass, annoy, or alarm another person. This can include but is not limited to, repeated unwanted contact without legitimate purpose, acts designed to intimidate, or behaviors that significantly inconvenience or alarm someone without a lawful purpose.
Facing a harassment charge can be an extremely difficult issue to deal with. Your actions may have been completely misinterpreted and you don’t know where to go from here. Oregon harassment laws prohibit any type of unwanted physical or verbal conduct that is motivated by a person's sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, or disability. The law also prohibits sexual harassment, which is any type of unwanted sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct.
Whether you believe you are completely innocent or not, Powell Law can help you know how to best approach your specific harassment situation. Continue reading to understand more about harassment, menacing, and stalking laws and their associated penalties. We’ll also discuss how to file harassment charges in Oregon if you feel you may be a victim.
If you’ve been a victim of harassment in Oregon and need a harassment lawyer, we can help! We’re experienced in harassment law and will give you a free consultation. Just click the button below to schedule a free consultation. We serve all of the Portland area including Beaverton, Tigard, and Hillsboro.
ORS 166.065 Offenses Against Public Order
This harassment public order states that a crime is committed if a person intentionally does the following:
1. Subjecting another person to offensive physical contact
2. Publicly insulting another person with abusive words or gestures in a manner intended and likely to provoke a violent response
3. Subjects another to alarm by conveying a false report, known by the conveyor to be false, concerning death or serious physical injury to a person with the intent to cause alarm
4. Subjects another to alarm by conveying a telephonic, electronic, or written threat to inflict serious physical injury on that person
Penalties for Harassment in Oregon
Harassment is a Class B misdemeanor in the state of Oregon and could carry a possible 6-month jail sentence and fines reaching a maximum of $2500.
What is Menacing in Oregon?
A person commits the crime of menacing when a person attempts to intentionally place fear of imminent physical injury on another person by their words and conduct. In other words, threatening another person with physical injury.
Penalties for menacing in Oregon
Menacing is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines reaching $6250.
What are the Stalking Laws in Oregon?
Stalking is somewhat related to harassment. The term stalking is commonly used when referring to unwanted, even obsessive, attention directed at a person that would reasonably cause them to feel threatened. While stalking can happen between two strangers, most of the time the people involved have dated or have some form of previous relationship. Stalking behaviors are scary because they are generally unpredictable and can lead to violence. Below is a list of common stalking behaviors related to harassment:
● Searching public records or social media sites
● Hiring a private investigator to keep tabs on someone
● Going through a person’s personal belongings
● Damaging a person’s home or property
● Following where a person goes
● Sending repeated texts, phone calls, or emails
● Sending unwanted gifts
● Showing up at a person’s home or work
● Threatening harm to a person or threatening their loved ones
● Contacting a person’s family, friends, or co-workers
What are the Penalties for Stalking in Oregon?
Stalking is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year jail time and fines reaching a maximum of $6250. However, if you have a prior stalking conviction on your record or a protection order violation conviction, you will face Class C felony charges. These charges will obviously be much more serious. This carries a potential prison term up to 5 years and fine that could reach $125,000.
How Do You File Harassment Charges in Oregon?
Filing a case means you’ll be entering the legal process in a court. Let’s go over the process step-by-step:
1. The first thing you need to do is file a complaint or petition. There is typically a fee associated when you file the documents that start the case.
2. If you don’t have an attorney, you may file documents through the mail, an electronic filing system, or in person. We recommend electronic filing to save time and speed up the process.
3. Laws and legal procedures are confusing and complex for someone to juggle with no legal experience. For this reason, we recommend hiring an attorney to help with your case.
4. If you decide to represent yourself, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn more about Oregon law and its court system. However, self-help information certainly isn’t as reliable as solid legal advice. To best protect your legal rights, consult a trusted Oregon attorney.
Keep in mind that in Oregon, you can file in small claims court on your own for anything up to $10,000. You’ll need to file in a regular court if planning to sue for a larger amount.
Oregon Harassment Laws Conclusion
Being accused of harassment, menacing, or stalking in Oregon is nothing to take lightly. You’ll need to appear in court to defend yourself and need the best legal assistance possible. Shannon Powell with Powell Law is the criminal defense lawyer you need. You won’t come across an attorney in the Beaverton area that will work harder or be more prepared to defend you or your loved one in court. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony, assault, or domestic crime, we’ve seen it all and can lead you confidently through every step of the process.
*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.
