Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Oregon Revised Statutes Crimes and Punishments § 163.187

Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(1) A person commits the crime of strangulation if the person knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by:

(a) Applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person; or

(b) Blocking the nose or mouth of the other person.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to legitimate medical or dental procedures or good faith practices of a religious belief.

(3) Strangulation is a Class A misdemeanor.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, strangulation is a Class C felony if:

(a) The crime is committed in the immediate presence of, or is witnessed by, the person's or the victim's minor child or stepchild or a minor child residing within the household of the person or the victim;

(b) The victim is under 10 years of age;

(c) During the commission of the crime, the person used, attempted to use or threatened to use a dangerous or deadly weapon, as those terms are defined in ORS 161.015, unlawfully against another;

(d) The person has been previously convicted of violating this section or ORS 163.160, 163.165, 163.175, 163.185 or 163.190, or of committing an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction, and the victim in the previous conviction is the same person who is the victim of the current crime;

(e) The person has at least three previous convictions for violating this section or ORS 163.160, 163.165, 163.175, 163.185 or 163.190 or for committing an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction, in any combination; or

(f) The person commits the strangulation knowing that the victim is pregnant.

(5) For purposes of subsection (4)(a) of this section, a strangulation is witnessed if the strangulation is seen or directly perceived in any other manner by the child.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Oregon Revised Statutes Crimes and Punishments § 163.187 - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/or/title-16-crimes-and-punishments/or-rev-st-sect-163-187/

Read this complete Oregon Revised Statutes Crimes and Punishments § 163.187 on Westlaw. Westlaw subscription required.

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Oregon Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard