{"id":375897,"date":"2016-04-11T01:23:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-murder-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:52:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T20:52:09","slug":"oregon-murder-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-murder-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Oregon Murder Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Oregon Murder Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Murder in Oregon<\/span> is defined as the unlawful<\/span> intentional killing of another person, categorized into aggravated murder<\/span> and standard murder. Aggravated murder<\/span> involves specific circumstances, such as prior convictions or the killing of certain individuals, and is treated more severely. Oregon<\/span> does not have a separate felony murder law; however, deaths occurring during the commission of a felony can be classified as murder.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the eyes of the law, homicide is any killing of a human being by another human being. Intentionally causing the death of another human being<\/span> without lawful justification (such as self-defense) is criminal homicide<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Oregon<\/span> classifies criminal homicide<\/span> as either murder or manslaughter. The state further divides murder into aggravated murder<\/span> (the equivalent of first-degree<\/span> murder<\/span> in other states) and murder (the equivalent of second-degree<\/span> murder<\/span>).<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explain the elements of murder and aggravated murder<\/span> in Oregon<\/span>, the potential penalties for these crimes, and possible defenses. If you\u2019re facing criminal charges, especially a serious charge like murder or manslaughter, consult a local criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>. They can explain your options based on state law and your unique circumstances.<\/p>\n

How Oregon<\/span> Defines Murder<\/h2>\n

Under the Oregon<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span><\/a>, any unlawful<\/span> intentional homicide is murder. It does not require the killing to be premeditated<\/span>. Oregon<\/span>\u2019s murder statute also covers what\u2019s known as felony murder<\/a>. This rule allows a person to be charged with murder if they cause the death of another person<\/span> during the commission of or acting in furtherance<\/span> of another first-degree<\/span> felony, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n