Oregon Statutes 131.655 – Detention and interrogation of persons suspected of theft committed in a store or unlawful operation of audiovisual device in a motion picture theater; probable cause
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may be detained in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time by:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 131.655
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
(a) A merchant or merchant’s employee who has probable cause for believing that the person has committed theft of property of a store or other mercantile establishment; or
(b) The owner or lessee of a motion picture theater or authorized agent or employee of the owner or lessee who has probable cause to believe that the person has violated ORS § 164.882.
(2) Probable cause is a defense to any civil or criminal action based on detention and interrogation that a person brings against:
(a) A merchant or merchant’s employee who has detained the person in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time based on probable cause for believing that the person has committed theft of property of a store or other mercantile establishment; or
(b) The owner or lessee of a motion picture theater or authorized agent or employee of the owner or lessee who has detained the person based on probable cause for believing that the person has violated ORS § 164.882. [Formerly 133.037; 2005 c.459 § 2]
(Prevention by Public Officers)