Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 161 § 161.249 — Use of
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 161 ·
Oregon Code § 161.249·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Use of
physical force by private person assisting an arrest.
(1) Except as provided in
subsection (2) of this section, a person who has been directed by a peace
officer to assist the peace officer to make an arrest or to prevent an escape
from custody is justified in using physical force when and to the extent that
the person reasonably believes that force to be necessary to carry out the
peace officers direction.
(2) A person who
has been directed to assist a peace officer under circumstances specified in
subsection (1) of this section may use deadly physical force to make an arrest
or to prevent an escape only when:
(a) The person
reasonably believes that force to be necessary for self-defense or to defend a
third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent
use of deadly physical force; or
(b) The person is
directed or authorized by the peace officer to use deadly physical force unless
the person knows that the peace officer is not authorized to use deadly
physical force under the circumstances. [1971 c.743 §30]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Use of
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 161.249
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of Oregon law addresses Use of
. Read the full statute text above for details.
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