Oregon residents are likely aware that they can be sentenced to punishments if convicted of a crime. These punishments often vary depending on the specific charges with misdemeanors having lesser penalties than felonies. Felony charges are generally much more serious and have much more severe penalties. These penalties often include prison sentences.
In Oregon, residents may have also heard of Measure 11. Those accused of crimes may wonder how Measure 11 affects them.
Measure 11 is an initiative that was passed by voters in 1994 and reaffirmed by Oregon voters in 2000. Under this initiative, mandatory minimum prison sentences are created for certain crimes. This means that those convicted of these crimes must be sentenced to these minimums no matter the circumstances in the case.
Under Measure 11, only serious sex crimes and violent crimes are subject to the mandatory minimums. For example, under measure 11, a person convicted of either Robbery I, Arson I, Assault I and attempted murder must be sentenced to seven years and six months in prison according the Washington County District Attorney. Rape I has a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years and four months -- unless the victim is a child under 12 when the punishment increases to 25 years minimum. Murder also has a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. Whereas manslaughter and attempted aggravated murder both have mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years.
Measure 11 does not impose minimum mandatory sentences for people convicted of property crimes. Drug crimes also do not fall under Measure 11.
In some situations a judge can exempt a person from Measure 11, therefore, specific legal advice -- which this post cannot provide -- is necessary to determine if Measure 11 applies to a person or not.
No Comments
Leave a comment