Oregon Statutes 164.138 – Criminal possession of a rented or leased motor vehicle
(1) A person commits the offense of criminal possession of a rented or leased motor vehicle if:
Attorney's Note
Under the Oregon Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class C felony | up to 5 years | up to $125,000 |
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 164.138
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
(a) After renting a motor vehicle from a commercial renter of motor vehicles under a written agreement that provides for the return of the motor vehicle to a particular place at a particular time, the person fails to return the motor vehicle as specified, is thereafter served in accordance with subsection (2) of this section with a written demand to return the motor vehicle and knowingly fails to return the motor vehicle within three calendar days from the date of the receipt or refusal of the demand; or
(b) After leasing a motor vehicle from a commercial lessor of motor vehicles under a written agreement that provides for periodic lease payments, the person fails to pay the lessor a periodic payment when due for a period of 45 days, is thereafter served with a written demand to return the motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (2) of this section and knowingly fails to return the motor vehicle within three calendar days from the date of the receipt or refusal of the demand.
(2)(a) Service of written demand under this section shall be accomplished by delivery through any commercial overnight service that can supply a delivery receipt. The demand shall be sent to the person who obtained the motor vehicle by rental or lease at the address stated in the rental or lease agreement and any other address of the person provided by the person to the renter or lessor. The person is responsible for providing correct current address information to the renter or lessor until the motor vehicle is returned.
(b) The person shall be considered to have refused the written demand if the commercial delivery service determines that the demand is not deliverable to the person at the address or addresses provided by the person.
(3) A bona fide contract dispute with the lessor or renter shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of criminal possession of a rented or leased motor vehicle.
(4) Criminal possession of a rented or leased motor vehicle is a Class C felony. [2007 c.684 § 1]
164.138 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 164 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.