Oregon Criminal Defense | Free 24/7 Help Line

Criminal Defense in Oregon — what to do right now

Right now, do four things. First, stop talking — you have the right to remain silent and to a lawyer, and anything you say to police or in a recorded jail call can be used against you. Second, find out your charge class: a Class A misdemeanor versus a felony changes everything about your exposure. Third, get someone to the arraignment within that 36-hour window — that's when release is decided. Fourth, call 1-844-690-0555. Our free AI assistant, trained on Oregon and federal law, can explain what your charge means and what happens at arraignment, 24/7, in plain English — then help you book a paid consultation with an Oregon-licensed attorney. We are not a law firm and not the public defender's office; we give legal information, not advice.

The law in Oregon: Criminal Defense

Oregon sorts crimes into felonies and misdemeanors under ORS 161.515. Felonies come in Class A (up to 20 years and a $375,000 fine), Class B (up to 10 years, $250,000) and Class C (up to 5 years, $125,000), set by ORS 161.535 and 161.605. Misdemeanors are Class A (up to 364 days in jail and a $6,250 fine), Class B (up to 6 months, $2,500) or Class C (up to 30 days, $1,250), under ORS 161.555 and 161.615. That 364-day cap on a Class A misdemeanor is deliberate: Oregon set it one day under a year so a misdemeanor conviction stays below the federal one-year line that triggers deportation and immigration detention. The class drives your maximum exposure, so it's the first thing to nail down — call 1-844-690-0555 to find out what yours means.

Almost every Oregon criminal case starts in the Circuit Court for the county where the charge was filed — there's one in each of the 36 counties, with Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland the busiest. Minor municipal and traffic violations go to local Justice and Municipal Courts. Appeals run to the Oregon Court of Appeals (13 judges) and, by discretion, the Oregon Supreme Court (7 justices). Federal charges are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, with courthouses in Portland, Eugene, Medford and Pendleton. After arrest, ORS 135.010 requires an in-custody arraignment within 36 hours (excluding weekends and holidays); the release decision is made then or at a hearing within 48 hours under ORS 135.245.

Oregon largely abolished commercial bail bondsmen, so there's no bondsman to call. Instead, under ORS 135.230 to 135.290 a judge picks from a ladder: release on your own recognizance (a written promise to appear), conditional release (no-contact orders, check-ins, monitoring, no money), or security release — where you typically deposit 10% of the security amount with the court. The judge weighs flight risk and danger to the community. Getting this right at arraignment is critical, and it's exactly where an attorney helps. We can explain how Oregon release works and help you book one — call 1-844-690-0555.

If your charge is one of the roughly 20 serious person-crimes listed in ORS 137.700 (Measure 11) — including assault, robbery, kidnapping and certain sex offenses — Oregon imposes a flat mandatory-minimum prison term, from 70 months up to 300 months, with no early release and no good-time credit, and 15- to 17-year-olds can be charged as adults under ORS 137.707. Everything else is sentenced off Oregon's felony sentencing guidelines grid, which crosses crime seriousness (1–11) against your criminal-history score (A–I) to produce a presumptive sentence. Which track you're on changes the entire defense strategy — that's why getting informed early matters.

Key Statutes

ORS 161.515 / 161.535 / 161.555 — felony & misdemeanor classification
ORS 161.605 / 161.615 — maximum prison and jail terms
ORS 137.700 & 137.707 — Measure 11 mandatory minimums (adults & youth)
ORS 135.230–135.290 — pretrial release (recognizance, conditional, security)
ORS 137.225 — setting aside (expunging) a conviction or arrest

Courts & Agencies

Circuit Court in each of Oregon's 36 counties (felony & misdemeanor trials)
Justice & Municipal Courts — local violations and minor offenses
Oregon Court of Appeals (13 judges) → Oregon Supreme Court (7 justices)
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon — Portland, Eugene, Medford, Pendleton
Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) — appointed counsel for the indigent

Penalties & Deadlines

In-custody arraignment within 36 hours (ORS 135.010); release hearing within 48 hours (ORS 135.245)
Class A felony: up to 20 years / $375,000; Class A misdemeanor: up to 364 days / $6,250
Measure 11: 70 to 300 months, mandatory, no early release
Charging deadlines (ORS 131.125): generally 3 years for felonies, 2 years for misdemeanors
Expungement waits (SB 397): about 5 years for a Class C felony, 7 years for a non-person Class B felony

Oregon's 'Unrepresented Crisis' — You May Sit Without a Public Defender

Here's the Oregon reality almost no one tells you until it's happening: the state is thousands of public defenders short. In early 2025, more than 4,000 Oregonians were charged with crimes and had no appointed lawyer — hundreds had waited over six months, some in jail. Because the U.S. and Oregon constitutions guarantee counsel, judges have released defendants and even dismissed cases when no attorney could be found. That sounds like good news, but it leaves you in legal limbo, with a charge unresolved and your release riding on the calendar. You cannot count on a public defender appearing quickly. If you can afford even a single paid consultation, getting your own lawyer early can be the difference. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to understand your options.

Likely outcomes & penalties

Outcomes in Oregon turn on the charge class, your record and whether Measure 11 applies. These are realistic ranges, not promises — your case is its own.

Class A misdemeanor (e.g. simple assault)

Up to 364 days jail and a $6,250 fine, but first-offense cases often resolve in probation, fines, community service or a diversion/conditional-discharge agreement.

Class C felony (lower-level)

Up to 5 years prison and $125,000, yet many sit in the probation zone of the sentencing grid for a first offender — supervision rather than prison.

Measure 11 person-felony

A flat 70 to 300 months in prison, served day-for-day with no early release — though a downward departure is possible for certain second-degree offenses under ORS 137.712.

Drug possession (post-HB 4002)

Personal-use possession is again a Class C misdemeanor as of Sept. 1, 2024 — up to 30 days jail, but eligible for a deflection-to-treatment program in counties that offer one.

Mistakes to avoid

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Assuming a public defender will be appointed quickly — Oregon's shortage means you can wait weeks or months unrepresented while deadlines pass.

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Talking to police or chatting on a recorded jail phone line, thinking you'll 'explain it away' — those statements become evidence.

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Missing the arraignment or the 36-hour/48-hour release window, so the release decision gets made without your side being heard.

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Pleading guilty to a Class A misdemeanor without checking immigration fallout — Oregon's 364-day cap protects you only if the actual sentence stays under a year.

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Believing a non-unanimous jury verdict is still valid — after Ramos v. Louisiana and Watkins v. Ackley, split-jury convictions are unconstitutional and may be challengeable.

How it works

Call the free hotline. Dial 1-844-690-0555 any time, day or night. No income test, no web form, no waiting room. Spanish-language help is available.

Talk to the AI assistant. Our assistant is trained on Oregon and federal criminal law. It explains your charge class, what happens at arraignment, release options and likely exposure — in plain English. It's legal information, not advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship.

Get matched to an Oregon attorney. If you want a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with an Oregon-licensed criminal defense attorney — a separate, paid step you choose.

Free & low-cost Criminal Defense help in Oregon

If you can't afford a private lawyer, start here. These are real Oregon and national resources for criminal matters — some appoint counsel, others help you understand and clear a record.

Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC)

The state agency that provides and funds court-appointed lawyers for people who can't afford one in criminal cases. Eligibility is decided by the court at or before arraignment; financial screening applies.

Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

The official OSB referral line — (503) 684-3763 in Portland or (800) 452-7636 toll-free statewide. Connects you to a vetted Oregon attorney for a first meeting of up to 30 minutes for no more than $50.

OSB Modest Means Program

A reduced-fee program for people who don't qualify for a public defender but still can't afford standard rates — explicitly covers criminal defense, alongside family, foreclosure and housing matters.

Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC)

A Portland nonprofit working on public-defense reform, non-unanimous-jury (Ramos/Watkins) relief, and 'crimmigration' — the immigration fallout of criminal charges in Oregon.

Oregon Judicial Department — Setting Aside (Expungement)

The state courts' official self-help page on clearing arrests and convictions under ORS 137.225, with forms and county-by-county instructions — useful after a case ends.

Metropolitan Public Defender (Portland & Washington County)

One of Oregon's largest nonprofit public-defense firms, serving Multnomah and Washington counties — context on how appointed defense works in the Portland metro.

FAQ — Criminal Defense in Oregon

I was just arrested in Oregon — how soon do I see a judge?

If you're held in custody, ORS 135.010 requires your arraignment within the first 36 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. That first appearance is where the judge reads the charge and decides your release. Because so much rides on it, get informed before you walk in — call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, for plain-English information on what to expect.

Is my charge a misdemeanor or a felony, and why does it matter?

In Oregon, a Class A misdemeanor caps at 364 days in jail, while a Class C felony can mean up to 5 years in prison and a Class A felony up to 20 — set by ORS 161.555 and 161.535. The class drives your maximum exposure and whether prison is even on the table. Our free assistant can explain your specific class; call 1-844-690-0555.

What is Measure 11 and could it apply to me?

Measure 11 (ORS 137.700) lists serious person-crimes — assault, robbery, kidnapping, certain sex offenses — that carry flat mandatory-minimum prison terms from 70 to 300 months, with no early release. Even 15- to 17-year-olds can be charged as adults under ORS 137.707. If you think your charge is on that list, this is urgent: call 1-844-690-0555 to understand the stakes before arraignment.

Oregon got rid of bail bondsmen — so how do I get out?

Right. Oregon doesn't use commercial bail bondsmen. Under ORS 135.230–135.290 a judge can release you on your own recognizance, on conditions, or on a security deposit (often 10% of the set amount paid to the court). The release decision happens at arraignment or a hearing within 48 hours. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on how Oregon release works and how to book an attorney to argue it.

There's a public-defender shortage — what if no lawyer is appointed?

It's a real crisis: in early 2025 more than 4,000 Oregonians were charged and had no appointed counsel. Some cases get delayed or even dismissed for lack of a lawyer, which leaves you in limbo. You can't rely on a fast appointment. If you can manage one paid consultation, it can change your trajectory — call 1-844-690-0555 to learn your options.

Is drug possession a crime again in Oregon?

Yes. As of September 1, 2024, HB 4002 made personal-use possession of drugs like fentanyl, meth and cocaine a Class C misdemeanor again, up to 30 days in jail. Many counties offer a 'deflection' program that routes you to treatment instead of prosecution — but not all do, and it's at law enforcement's discretion. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand what your county does.

Can I clear my Oregon record after the case ends?

Often, yes. ORS 137.225 lets you ask a court to 'set aside' (expunge) many convictions and arrests. Under SB 397, most waits dropped — roughly 5 years for a Class C felony and 7 for a non-person Class B felony — and the old filing fee was eliminated. Acquittals and dismissals can be cleared quickly. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on whether you may qualify.

I heard non-unanimous jury convictions are no good now — is that true?

It is. Oregon was the last state to allow split-jury convictions until Ramos v. Louisiana (2020) ruled them unconstitutional, and the Oregon Supreme Court made that retroactive in Watkins v. Ackley (2022). If you were convicted by a non-unanimous jury, you may be able to challenge it through post-conviction relief. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn whether this could apply to you.

How long does Oregon have to charge me?

Under ORS 131.125, prosecutors generally have 3 years for felonies and 2 years for most misdemeanors, with much longer windows for murder and serious offenses against children. The clock can pause while you're out of state. If you're unsure whether a charging deadline has passed, call 1-844-690-0555 free for information.

Will a guilty plea affect my immigration status?

It can — and Oregon's 364-day cap on Class A misdemeanors exists precisely because a sentence of a year or more triggers federal deportation consequences. Even a 'minor' plea can carry serious immigration fallout, so this is one to understand before you plead. Call 1-844-690-0555 for plain-English information; it's information, not legal advice.

Does calling the hotline make you my lawyer?

No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender's office. We give legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship. What we do is help you understand your Oregon charge and, if you want, book a paid consultation with an Oregon-licensed attorney. Call 1-844-690-0555 any time.

It's the middle of the night and I'm scared — can I really call now?

Yes. The line is free and open 24/7, with no income test and no web form. Whether you were just booked into a Multnomah County jail or got a citation in Bend, you can get clear information immediately. Call 1-844-690-0555.

Are you an Oregon criminal defense attorney?

We connect frightened, fast-moving callers to vetted Oregon-licensed criminal defense lawyers — people who've just been arrested or are heading to arraignment and need counsel now. If you practice criminal defense in Oregon and want to receive matched consultation requests, join our network. It's a clean, qualified referral stream, not a directory listing.

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Reviewed by the Legal Hotline Editorial Team.

General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.

Charged With a Crime in Oregon? Know Your Move Before Arraignment