ORS 203.810
Offenses under county law

  • jurisdiction
  • prosecutions
  • enforcement

(1)

As used in this section:

(a)

“County law” means a county charter adopted pursuant to ORS 203.710 (Performance of functions by officers designated by county law) to 203.770 (Copies of charters and amendments, revisions and repeals) and legislation passed by a charter county or any ordinance enacted by a general law county.

(b)

“County offense” means any crime or offense defined or made punishable by county law.

(2)

Except as may be provided otherwise by county law:

(a)

The justice courts and circuit court for a county have jurisdiction of county offenses to the same extent as such courts have jurisdiction of crimes or offenses defined or made punishable by state law, as determined by the maximum punishment which may be imposed therefor.

(b)

The district attorney shall prosecute county offenses unless the county governing body elects to have the prosecution of such offenses conducted by a county counsel appointed pursuant to ORS 203.145 (Appointment of legal counsel for county governing body).

(c)

The practice and procedure as to the prosecution, trial and punishment of county offenses shall be the same as in the case of similar crimes or offenses defined or made punishable by state law.

(3)

Except as may be provided otherwise by county law and subject to limitations on its civil jurisdiction under state law, the justice court and circuit court for a county have jurisdiction of a civil proceeding maintained by a county under ORS 30.310 (Actions and suits by governmental units) or 30.315 (Proceedings by cities and counties to enforce ordinances and resolutions), including a proceeding to abate or enjoin any act or condition that is declared to be a nuisance by an ordinance of the county.

(4)

Judgments based on county offenses may be enforced in the manner provided by ORS 52.600 (Enforcement of justice court judgments generally). [1961 c.724 §33; 1963 c.611 §1; 1977 c.622 §1; 1981 c.75 §1; 1985 c.626 §2; 1995 c.658 §91; 1999 c.788 §49]

Source: Section 203.810 — Offenses under county law; jurisdiction; prosecutions; enforcement, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors203.­html.

Notes of Decisions

This section and not ORS 3.130 governs enforcement of county laws regulating private conduct, as distinct from jurisdiction of county courts under state laws or over “transaction of county business.” Caffey v. Lane County, 298 Or 183, 691 P2d 94 (1984)

County authority to create exceptions governing state court enforcement of county law does not allow county to permit citizen commencement of violation proceeding in state court where ordinance is not of type listed in ORS 153.058. Hood River County v. Stevenson, 177 Or App 78, 33 P3d 325 (2001)

203.010
General powers of county as body politic and corporate 203.015
Power of county to contract for purchase or lease of real or personal property 203.030
Definition for ORS 203.030 to 203.075 203.035
Power of county governing body or electors over matters of county concern 203.040
Inapplicability of ordinances inside incorporated city 203.045
Procedure for adopting ordinance 203.055
Referral of taxation related ordinance 203.060
Judicial review and invalidation of ordinances 203.065
Violation of county ordinances 203.075
Applicable law for local improvement assessments 203.085
County election dates 203.105
Program in Governor’s office to assist counties in fiscal distress 203.111
County governing body 203.115
County power to change fees 203.132
Inclusion of property outside county or in city in county assessment for local improvement 203.135
Eminent domain power of county 203.145
Appointment of legal counsel for county governing body 203.148
Public Land Corner Preservation Fund 203.230
Abolishing office of county judge and establishing board of county commissioners in noncharter county 203.240
Organization, powers and duties of board 203.710
Performance of functions by officers designated by county law 203.720
Electors of county may adopt, amend, revise or repeal county charter 203.725
County charter amendment 203.730
Charter committee appointed after filing of resolution or petition 203.740
Charter committee and members 203.750
County funds for charter committee 203.760
Submission of proposed charter to electors after public hearing 203.770
Copies of charters and amendments, revisions and repeals 203.810
Offenses under county law
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 203.810’s source at oregon​.gov