# ORS § 161.025: 161.025 Purposes

> Oregon · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.025

## Section

- **Citation:** ORS § 161.025
- **Heading:** 161.025 Purposes
- **Jurisdiction:** Oregon
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** OR Code / Title 16 / Chapter 161 / Section 161.025

## Text

(1) The general purposes of chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, are:

(a) To insure the public safety by preventing the commission of offenses through the deterrent influence of the sentences authorized, the correction and rehabilitation of those convicted, and their confinement when required in the interests of public protection.

(b) To forbid and prevent conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably inflicts or threatens substantial harm to individual or public interests.

(c) To give fair warning of the nature of the conduct declared to constitute an offense and of the sentences authorized upon conviction.

(d) To define the act or omission and the accompanying mental state that constitute each offense and limit the condemnation of conduct as criminal when it is without fault.

(e) To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses.

(f) To prescribe penalties which are proportionate to the seriousness of offenses and which permit recognition of differences in rehabilitation possibilities among individual offenders.

(g) To safeguard offenders against excessive, disproportionate or arbitrary punishment.

(2) The rule that a penal statute is to be strictly construed shall not apply to chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, or any of its provisions. Chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, shall be construed according to the fair import of its terms, to promote justice and to effect the purposes stated in subsection (1) of this section. [1971 c.743 §2]

Note: See note under 161.015 (General definitions) .

Source: Section 161.025 — Purposes; principles of construction , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

## Nearby sections

- [ORS § 161.005 161.005 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.005.md)
- [ORS § 161.015 161.015 General definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.015.md)
- [ORS § 161.025 161.025 Purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.025.md)
- [ORS § 161.035 161.035 Application of Criminal Code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.035.md)
- [ORS § 161.045 161.045 Limits on application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.045.md)
- [ORS § 161.055 161.055 Burden of proof as to defenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.055.md)
- [ORS § 161.065 161.065 Evidence of physical injury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.065.md)
- [ORS § 161.067 161.067 Determining punishable offenses for violation of multiple statutory provisions, multiple victims or repeated violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.067.md)
- [ORS § 161.085 161.085 Definitions with respect to culpability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.085.md)
- [ORS § 161.095 161.095 Requirements for criminal liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.095.md)
- [ORS § 161.105 161.105 Culpability requirement inapplicable to certain violations and offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.105.md)
- [ORS § 161.115 161.115 Construction of statutes with respect to culpability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.115.md)
- [ORS § 161.125 161.125 Drug or controlled substance use or dependence or intoxication as defense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.125.md)
- [ORS § 161.150 161.150 Criminal liability described](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.150.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T16_C161_S161.025. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.