KEEP OREGON SAFE
END OREGON'S CATCH & RELEASE SYSTEM
What is the Oregon Crimefighting Act?
The Oregon Crimefighting Act improves public safety in several ways, and has three principal objectives:
- End the "Catch and Release" system as to those charged with felonies and Class A misdemeanors.
- Empower counties and cities to pass ordinances to fight local crime, including public use of drugs which are illegal under federal law.
- Require the state to pay for jail space as to those charged with felonies and Class A misdemeanors who need to be held until the trial process is complete.
Oregon’s “Catch & Release” system
In September of 2023, the lives of two 17-year-old teens were changed forever when they were violently stabbed on a MAX train in Southeast Portland by Adrian Cummins. This incident never should have occurred in the first place. Just two days before the violent act, the Multnomah County Jail refused to admit Cummins. Cummins had a long history of violent behavior, including previous charges of domestic abuse, drug use, theft, kidnapping, and sexual assault. This was not an individual that should have been willingly placed back out on the streets. This is just one chilling example of the revolving door in Oregon’s justice system, where dangerous offenders are caught, released, and allowed to wreak havoc on innocent lives with terrifying regularity.
What is the real culprit? Oregon’s “Catch and Release” System, which was established during what we call the 2021 COVID Legislative Session.
Senate Bill 48, the legislation responsible for Oregon’s “Catch and Release” system, was extremely complex and nuanced. Due to the 2021 Legislative Session being held virtually, there was minimal public input provided on this legislation, allowing this bill to fly under the radar and stay out of the spotlight. Now we are seeing the negative effects: the State of Oregon effectively gave criminals a “get out of jail free” card.
The Oregon Crimefighting Act solution
The Oregon Crimefighting Act initiative provides that an individual must be held in jail until arraignment, allowing a judge to review the person’s criminal record and decide whether public safety and the safety of the victim calls for the defendant to be kept in jail pending trial.
The “Oregon Crimefighting Act” seeks to amend certain aspects of the 2021 legislation which, since its implementation in 2023, has led to what is commonly referred to as “catch and release.” This policy enables immediate release of defendants charged with up to 150 felony crimes on personal recognizance, bypassing the crucial step of arraignment.
Oregon’s “Catch & Release” top felonies
There are 150 felonies that are now eligible for “Catch and Release”. These include, but are not limited to:
- motor vehicle theft
- mail theft
- disorderly conduct in the first degree
- burglary in the second degree
- arson in the second degree
- theft in the first degree
- riot
- identity theft
- willfully causing spread of communicable disease
- failure to register as a sex offender
All “Catch & Release” felonies
GUIDELINE 1 - Catch and Release Felonies in Oregon (Non-person Class C felonies) - Release on personal recognizance on a release agreement with the general conditions in ORS 135.250):
- ORS 86A.103: Engaging in residential mortgage transactions without a license
- ORS 86A.154: Fraud/deceit regarding mortgage banker/broker business
- ORS 97.745: Indian graves and protected objects – prohibited acts
- ORS 109.281: Charge/accept/pay prohibited adoption fees
- ORS 161.405: Attempt to commit a non-person Class B felony
- ORS 161.435: Solicitation to commit a non-person Class B felony
- ORS 161.450: Conspiracy to commit a non-person Class C felony
- ORS 162.065: Perjury
- ORS 162.265: Bribing a witness
- ORS 162.275: Bribe receiving by a witness
- ORS 162.305(2)(b): Tampering with lottery records
- ORS 162.325: Hindering prosecution
- ORS 162.355: Simulating legal process
- ORS 162.365(3)(b): Criminal impersonation of a peace officer, judge, or justice of the peace
- ORS 162.367: Criminal impersonation of a peace officer
- ORS 163.452: Custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree (if the offender is under 18 years of age)
- ORS 163.715(2)(b): Unlawful use of a global positioning system device
- ORS 163A.040(3)(b): Failure to report as a sex offender
- ORS 164.055: Theft in the first degree
- ORS 164.125(5)(c): Theft of services over $1,000
- ORS 164.135: Unauthorized use of a vehicle
- ORS 164.138: Criminal possession of a rented motor vehicle
- ORS 163A.040(3)(b): Failure to report as a sex offender
- ORS 164.055: Theft in the first degree
- ORS 164.125(5)(c): Theft of services over $1,000
- ORS 164.135: Unauthorized use of a vehicle
- ORS 164.138: Criminal possession of a rented motor vehicle
- ORS 164.140(4)(b): Criminal possession of rented or leased personal property over $500
- ORS 164.162: Mail theft or receipt of stolen mail
- ORS 164.172: Engaging in a financial transaction in property derived from unlawful activity
- ORS 164.215: Burglary in the second degree
- ORS 164.315: Arson in the second degree
- ORS 164.338: Arson incident to the manufacture of a controlled substance in the second degree.
- ORS 164.365: Criminal mischief in the first degree
- ORS 164.377(3): Computer crime –Alter/damage/destroy computer
- ORS 164.377(5)(b): Computer crime – Oregon State Lottery
- ORS 164.868: Unlawful labeling of a sound recording
- ORS 164.869: Unlawful recording of a live performance
- ORS 164.872: Unlawful labeling of a videotape recording
- ORS 164.885(1): Endangering aircraft in the first degree
- ORS 164.886: Unlawful tree spiking
- ORS 164.889: Interference with agricultural research
- ORS 165.013: Forgery in the first degree
- ORS 165.022: Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree
- ORS 165.032: Criminal possession of a forgery device
- ORS 165.055(4)(b): Fraudulent use of a credit card over $1000
- ORS 165.065(3)(b): Negotiating a bad check with prior conviction for the same or theft by deception by means of a check
- ORS 165.070: Possessing fraudulent communications device
- ORS 165.074: Unlawful factoring of payment card transaction
- ORS 165.085: Sports bribery
- ORS 165.090: Sports bribe receiving
- ORS 165.579: Cellular counterfeiting in the second degree
- ORS 165.692: Making false claim for health care payment
- ORS 165.800: Identity theft
- ORS 165.810: Unlawful possession of a personal identification device
- ORS 165.813: Unlawful possession of fictitious identification
- ORS 166.015: Riot
- ORS 166.023(2)(b): Disorderly conduct in the first degree
- ORS 166.085: Abuse of a corpse in the second degree
- ORS 166.382: Unlawful possession of a destructive device
- ORS 166.384: Unlawful manufacture of a destructive device
- ORS 166.438(5)(b): Transfer of firearms at gun shows with two prior convictions for the same
- ORS 166.450: Obliteration or change of identification number on firearms
- ORS 166.642: Felon in possession of body armor
- ORS 166.651: Throwing an object off an overpass in the first degree
- ORS 166.660: Unlawful paramilitary activity
- ORS 167.062(3): Sadomasochistic abuse or sexual conduct in a live show (financing/management)
- ORS 167.109: Internet gambling
- ORS 167.127: Unlawful gambling in the first degree
- ORS 167.137: Possession of gambling records in the first degree
- ORS 167.164: Possession of a gray machine
- ORS 167.167: Cheating
- ORS 167.212: Tampering with drug records
- ORS 167.312: Research and animal interference (over $2500)
- ORS 167.325(3): Animal neglect in the second degree with 2 priors, or 11 or more animals, or in the presence of a child with prior DV
- ORS 167.330(3): Animal neglect in the first degree with one prior, or 10 animals, or in the presence of a child
- ORS 167.333: Sexual assault of an animal, where offense is not designed as a sex crime
- ORS 167.355: Involvement in animal fighting
- ORS 167.431 Participation in cockfighting
- ORS 167.388: Interference with livestock production (damage under $2500)
- ORS 167.339: Assaulting a law enforcement animal
- ORS 167.365: Dogfighting
- ORS 167.370: Participating in dogfighting
- ORS 167.372: Possessing dogfighting paraphernalia
- ORS 167.428: Cockfighting
- ORS 167.439: Forcible recovery of a fighting bird
- ORS 244.355: Failing to file complete/accurate trading statement
- ORS 247.125: Unlawful alteration of a voter registration card
- ORS 260.402: Make/receive/record contribution in false name
- ORS 260.555: Prohibitions relating to circulation, filing, or certification of initiative, referendum, or recall petition
- ORS 260.558: Unlawful payment related to certain election petitions
- ORS 260.665(2)(e): Undue influence regarding political contribution
- ORS 260.715: Prohibited conduct – elections
- ORS 279C.875: Wage violations by a contractor or subcontractor
- ORS 314.075: Tax evasion
- ORS 314.835: Disclosure of tax return/report information
- ORS 323.480: Penalties for cigarette and tobacco product violations
- ORS 323.482(2)(b), (c): Unlawful distribution of cigarettes
- ORS 323.630(3): Distributing tobacco products without a license
- ORS 323.630(4): False reports per the Tobacco Products Tax Act
- ORS 323.630(5): Transport tobacco – no permit; invoice; bill of lading
- ORS 323.630(7): Fraudulent tobacco receipts or invoices
- ORS 359.240: Diverting proceeds from a consigned work of fine art
- ORS 411.630: Unlawfully obtain public assistance or attempt/aid/abet
- ORS 411.675: Obtain/attempt to obtain pay furnish public asst recipient need
- ORS 411.840: Obtain/attempt/aid or abet/dispose food stamp benefit
- ORS 432.993: Unlawful use of a vital record or report
- ORS 433.010(1): Willfully causing the spread of a communicable disease
- ORS 462.415(2): Unlawful entry of an animal in a race
- ORS 468.953: Supplying false information to an agency
- ORS 471.440: Unlicensed manufacturing of liquor
- ORS 475.752(1)(c): Manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance in Schedule III
- ORS 475.752(2)(c): Manufacture/delivery counterfeit substance in Schedule III
- ORS 475.752(8): Unlawful possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
- ORS 475.806: Manufacture of hydrocodone
- ORS 475.810(2) Delivery of hydrocodone
- ORS 475.824: Unlawful possession of methadone
- ORS 475.834: Unlawful possession of oxycodone
- ORS 475.884: Unlawful possession of cocaine
- ORS 475.894: Unlawful possession of methamphetamine
- ORS 475.914(2)(a): Prohibited acts – controlled substance Schedule I
- ORS 475.967: Possession of a precursor substance
- ORS 475.977: Possessing or disposing of methamphetamine manufacturing waste
- ORS 475C.229: Unlawful import or export of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.337: Unlawful possession of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.341: Unlawful possession of a marijuana item by a person under 21 years of age
- ORS 475C.345: Unlawful delivery of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.349: Unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.361: Arson incident to manufacture of cannabinoid extract in the second degree
- ORS 496.992: Violation of wildlife law with culpable mental state – felony
- ORS chapter 498: Wildlife offenses: hunting, angling, and wildlife regulations – felony
- ORS chapter 506: Commercial fishing and fisheries offenses: administration of commercial fishing laws – felony
- ORS 526.806: Unlawful export of unprocessed timber
- ORS 532.140: Prohibited acts related to forest product brands and marks
- ORS 647.145: Trademark counterfeiting in the second degree
- ORS 677.080(4): Practicing medicine without a license
- ORS 679.020(1): Practicing dentistry without a license
- ORS 702.030: Violation of restrictions on inducement of student athletes
- ORS 702.054(1): Athlete agent fail to give notice of contract
- ORS 803.080: Unlawfully publishing certificate of title forms
- ORS 803.230: Forge/alter/produce/use vehicle titles/registration
- ORS 807.500: Unlawful production ID/license/permit/form/camera card
- ORS 811.127: Organizing a speed racing event
- ORS 815.410: Illegal odometer tampering
- ORS 815.430: Submitting a false odometer disclosure
- ORS 819.300: Possession of a stolen vehicle
- ORS 819.310: Trafficking in stolen vehicles
- ORS 822.605: False swearing regarding vehicle related business regulation
- ORS 830.475: Failure to perform duties of boat operator – injury or death
- ORS 837.995: Intentionally interfering with unmanned aircraft
GUIDELINE 2 - Felonies in Oregon where offenders are released on court-imposed conditions - Any non-domestic violence Class B felony and any non- domestic violence person Class C felony as defined in OAR 213-003-0001(14):
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 3 (HB 2005): Manufacturing, importing, selling, or transferring an undetectable firearm
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 3 (HB 2005): Possession of an undetectable firearm – prior conviction
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 4 (HB 2005): Selling or transferring a firearm without a serial number – two or more prior convictions
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 5 (HB 2005): Import/offer for sale/sell/transfer an unfinished frame or receiver – two or more prior convictions
- ORS 59.055: Unlawful offer or sale of securities
- ORS 59.135: Fraud/deceit regarding securities/securities business
- ORS 59.165: Violation of broker/advisor/salesperson license requirements
- ORS 97.981: Purchase or sale of body parts prohibited
- ORS 97.982: Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited
- ORS 161.405: Attempt to commit a non-domestic violence Class A felony or a non-domestic violence person Class B felony (if domestic violence, then Guideline 3)
- ORS 161.435: Solicitation to commit a non-domestic violence Class A felony or non-domestic violence person B felony
- ORS 161.450: Conspiracy to commit a non-domestic violence Class B felony or a non-domestic violence person Class C felony
- ORS 162.015: Bribe giving
- ORS 162.025: Bribe receiving
- ORS 162.117: Public investment fraud
- ORS 162.185: Supplying contraband (drugs)
- ORS 162.185: Supplying contraband (weapons)
- ORS 163.160(3): Assault in the fourth degree (if domestic violence, then Guideline 3)
- ORS 163.193: Assisting another person to commit suicide
- ORS 163.196: Aggravated driving while suspended or revoked
- ORS 163.205: Criminal mistreatment in the first degree
- ORS 163.207: Female genital mutilation
- Any driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) offense (ORS 813.010, ORS 813.011).
- Includes attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit DUII
- Any non-domestic violence Class B felony and any non- domestic violence person Class C felony as defined in OAR 213-003-0001(14), except for those offenses included in Guideline 3 to be held for arraignment:
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 3 (HB 2005): Manufacturing, importing, selling, or transferring an undetectable firearm
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 3 (HB 2005): Possession of an undetectable firearm – prior conviction
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 4 (HB 2005): Selling or transferring a firearm without a serial number – two or more prior convictions
- Oregon Laws 2023, chapter 229, section 5 (HB 2005): Import/offer for sale/sell/transfer an unfinished frame or receiver – two or more prior convictions
- ORS 59.055: Unlawful offer or sale of securities
- ORS 59.135: Fraud/deceit regarding securities/securities business
- ORS 59.165: Violation of broker/advisor/salesperson license requirements
- ORS 97.981: Purchase or sale of body parts prohibited
- ORS 97.982: Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited
- ORS 161.405: Attempt to commit a non-domestic violence Class A felony or a non-domestic violence person Class B felony (if domestic violence, then Guideline 3)
- ORS 161.435: Solicitation to commit a non-domestic violence Class A felony or non-domestic violence person B felony
- ORS 161.450: Conspiracy to commit a non-domestic violence Class B felony or a non-domestic violence person Class C felony
- ORS 162.015: Bribe giving
- ORS 162.025: Bribe receiving
- ORS 162.117: Public investment fraud
- ORS 162.185: Supplying contraband (drugs)
- ORS 162.185: Supplying contraband (weapons)
- ORS 163.160(3): Assault in the fourth degree (if domestic violence, then Guideline 3)
- ORS 163.193: Assisting another person to commit suicide
- ORS 163.196: Aggravated driving while suspended or revoked
- ORS 163.205: Criminal mistreatment in the first degree
- ORS 163.207: Female genital mutilation
- ORS 163.208: Assaulting a public safety officer
- ORS 163.213: Unlawful use of an electrical stun gun, tear gas or mace in the first degree
- ORS 163.245, 163.257: Custodial interference in any degree
- ORS 163.263, 163.264: Subjecting another person to involuntary servitude in any degree
- ORS 163.275: Coercion
- ORS 163.432: Online sexual corruption of a child- second degree (if a sex crime then Guideline 3)
- ORS 163.433: Online sexual corruption of a child-first degree
- ORS 163.472(2)(b): Unlawful dissemination of an intimate image, with prior conviction for the same
- ORS 163.479: Unlawful contact with a child
- ORS 163.515: Bigamy
- ORS 163.525: Incest with a non-child victim
- ORS 163.535: Abandonment of a child
- ORS 163.537: Buying or selling a person under 18 years of age
- ORS 163.547: Child neglect in the first degree
- ORS 163.555: Criminal nonsupport
- ORS 163.689: Possession of materials depicting sexually explicit conduct of a child in the second degree
- ORS 164.057: Aggravated theft in the first degree
- ORS 164.075: Theft by extortion
- ORS 164.098: Organized retail theft
- ORS 164.125(5)(d): Theft of services over $10,000
- ORS 164.170: Laundering a money instrument
- ORS 164.377(2)(c): Computer crime – theft of an intimate image
- ORS 164.395: Robbery in the third degree
- ORS 164.886(3): Unlawful tree spiking that results in physical injury to another person
- ORS 165.074(3): Unlawful factoring of payment card transaction with prior conviction for the same
- ORS 165.581: Cellular counterfeiting in the first degree
- ORS 165.803: Aggravated identity theft
- ORS 166.070: Aggravated harassment
- ORS 166.087: Abuse of a corpse in the first degree
- ORS 166.220: Unlawful use of a weapon
- ORS 166.385(3): Possession of a hoax destructive device during the commission of a felony
- ORS 166.410: Manufacture/import/sale/transfer of firearm or silencer
- ORS 166.429: Firearms used in a felony
- ORS 166.435(5)(b): Firearm transfers by unlicensed persons with prior conviction for the same
- ORS 166.643: Unlawful possession of body armor
- ORS 167.320(4): Animal abuse in the first degree while committing other enumerated crimes
- ORS 167.322: Aggravated animal abuse in the first degree
- ORS 323.482(2)(d): Unlawful distribution of cigarettes
- ORS 468.926: Dispo/store/treat hazardous waste in the first degree
- ORS 468.939: Unlawful air pollution in the first degree
- ORS 468.946: Unlawful water pollution in the first Degree
- ORS 475.752(1)(b): Manufacture/delivery controlled substance in Schedule II
- ORS 475.752(2)(b): Manufacture/delivery counterfeit substance in Schedule II
- ORS 475.752(6)(a): Manufacture or delivery of substance causing death
- ORS 475.752(7): Unlawful possession of a Schedule I controlled substance
- ORS 475.808: Manufacture of hydrocodone w/in 1000 ft of school
- ORS 475.810(3): Delivery of hydrocodone to a minor
- ORS 475.812: Delivery of hydrocodone w/in 1000 ft of school
- ORS 475.816: Unlawful manufacture of methadone
- ORS 475.820: Delivery of methadone
- ORS 475.826: Manufacture of oxycodone
- ORS 475.830(2): Delivery of oxycodone
- ORS 475.854: Unlawful possession of heroin
- ORS 475.874: Unlawful possession of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine
- ORS 475.876: Manufacture of cocaine
- ORS 475.890(2): Delivery of cocaine
- ORS 475.886: Manufacture of methamphetamine
- ORS 475.890(2): Delivery of methamphetamine
- ORS 475.906(2): Delivery to minor of controlled substance Schedule III
- ORS 475.908(1): Causing another person to ingest a controlled substance with intent to facilitate a crime of violence
- ORS 475.910(2), (3): Application of Schedule II or IV controlled substance to the body of another person
- ORS 475.962: Distribution of equipment, solvent, reagent or precursor substance with intent to facilitate manufacture of controlled substance
- ORS 475C.337: Unlawful possession of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.341: Unlawful possession of a marijuana item by a person under 21 years of age
- ORS 475C.349: Unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item
- ORS 475C.365: Causing another person to ingest marijuana
- ORS 609.098, 609.990(3)(b): Maintaining dangerous dog resulting in death
- ORS chapter 645: Trade regulations and practices: commodity transactions
- ORS 646.725: Restraint of trade or commerce
- ORS 646.730: Monopolize trade or commerce
- ORS 647.150: Trademark counterfeiting in the first degree
- ORS 811.705: Failure to perform duties of a driver – injury
- ORS 837.365(2)(b), (2)(c): Unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft system
Key points in the Oregon Crimefighting Initiative
Reinstating Arraignment and Bail
The initiative proposes to revoke the current “catch and release” law, mandating arraignment before any release of defendants. It also reinstates judicial discretion in setting bail, reinforcing a cornerstone of our justice system.
State Funding for County Compliance
Recognizing the financial strain on counties, the initiative mandates state funding to support the return to traditional legal practices. It further provides for state prison space if county jail capacities exceed 90%.
Local Government Empowerment
Local governments will regain authority to enact ordinances concerning public conduct, particularly pertaining to alcohol and drug use, disorderly conduct, and trespass on public properties.
Press
"‘It’s catch and release’: Portland shoplifters often evade prosecution, continuing city’s reputation as good place to steal"
The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
KATU News
Arson suspect arrested twice in a day shines light on Oregon catch and release policy
KATU News
Sign the petition
Step 1: Download the petition from the button below.
Step 2: Review the text of the initiative.
Step 3: Print the petition and complete and sign in blue or black ink. Petition MUST be printed on at least 20-pound, 8 1/2” x 11” uncoated white paper, or equivalent.
Step 4: Mail to us at:
Oregon Crimefighting PAC
2007 State St. Salem, OR 97301
How you can help support the Oregon Crimefighting Act
This campaign needs strong community support to succeed — and there are several ways you can make a big impact:
Assisting with gathering signatures
Signing the petition
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Donations can be mailed to:
Oregon Crimefighting PAC
PO Box 12249
Salem, OR 97309
Deadline for donations & signatures
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Contact
For more information, or to support this initiative, contact us!
503-990-6873