Oregon Code § 40.255·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Rule
505. Spousal privilege.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) Confidential
communication means a communication by a spouse to the other spouse and not
intended to be disclosed to any other person.
(b) Marriage
means a marital relationship between two individuals, legally recognized under
the laws of this state.
(c) Spouse
means an individual in a marriage with another individual.
(2) In any civil
or criminal action, a spouse has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to
prevent the other spouse from disclosing any confidential communication made by
one spouse to the other during the marriage. The privilege created by this
subsection may be claimed by either spouse. The authority of the spouse to
claim the privilege and the claiming of the privilege is presumed in the
absence of evidence to the contrary.
(3) In any
criminal proceeding, neither spouse, during the marriage, shall be examined
adversely against the other as to any other matter occurring during the
marriage unless the spouse called as a witness consents to testify.
(4) There is no
privilege under this section:
(a) In all
criminal actions in which one spouse is charged with bigamy or with an offense
or attempted offense against the person or property of the other spouse or of a
child of either, or with an offense against the person or property of a third
person committed in the course of committing or attempting to commit an offense
against the other spouse;
(b) As to matters
occurring prior to the marriage; or
(c) In any civil
action where the spouses are adverse parties. [1981 c.892 §34; 1983 c.433 §1;
2016 c.46 §1]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Rule
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 40.255
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Read the full statute text above for details.
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