Oregon Statutes 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:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 161.309
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(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 defendant may not introduce evidence for the establishment of a defense under ORS § 161.295 unless:
(a) The court, in its discretion, permits the evidence to be introduced when just cause for failure to file the report is shown; and
(b) If the defendant is charged with a felony, the defendant is tried by a jury.
(5)(a) A court may not accept a plea of guilty except for insanity to a felony unless a report described in subsection (4) of this section is filed with the court. If the report has not been filed, the court may order that a psychiatric or psychological evaluation of the defendant be conducted by a certified evaluator and a report of the evaluation be filed with the court.
(b) When the court orders an evaluation of a financially eligible person under this subsection, the court shall order the executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission to pay a reasonable fee for the evaluation from funds available for that purpose.
(c) A certified evaluator performing an evaluation of a defendant on the issue of insanity under this subsection is not obligated to evaluate the defendant for fitness to proceed unless, during the evaluation, the certified evaluator determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question.
(6) Prior to accepting a plea of guilty except for insanity to a felony, the court shall inform the defendant of the possibility that the court may order commitment or conditional discharge after entry of judgment, and of the maximum total period of commitment or conditional discharge under ORS § 161.327 (7).
(7) As used in this section, ‘certified evaluator’ means a psychiatrist or psychologist who holds a valid certification under the provisions of ORS § 161.392. [1971 c.743 39,40,41; 1983 c.800 § 3; 2003 c.127 § 2; 2011 c.724 § 1; 2017 c.48 § 1; 2019 c.326 § 1; 2019 c.329 § 1; 2021 c.483 § 2; 2023 c.281 § 40]
[Repealed by 1971 c.743 § 432]