Oregon Statutes 358.937 – Declination to prosecute certain violations; notice required; authority of Attorney General to prosecute; requirement to provide investigatory reports to Commission on Indian Services
(1)(a) If a district attorney of a county declines to prosecute a violation of ORS § 358.920 or 390.235 for a reason other than insufficient admissible evidence, within 30 days of the declination the district attorney shall give written notice of the declination to the Attorney General. The notice must contain the reasons underlying the declination to prosecute. Upon receipt of the notice, the Attorney General may take full charge of any investigation of, or prosecution for, conduct in violation of ORS § 358.920 or 390.235.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 358.937
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
(b) The Attorney General may require the aid and assistance of the district attorney in all matters pertaining to any investigation or prosecution authorized under this section and to the duties of the Attorney General in the county in which the district attorney holds office.
(2) If the Attorney General chooses to investigate or prosecute under this section, the Attorney General shall have all the powers of a district attorney including:
(a) The power to issue subpoenas;
(b) The power to prepare charging instruments; and
(c) All other powers incidental to an investigation or a prosecution authorized under this section.
(3) All costs, fees and other expenses related to the investigation or prosecution authorized under this section shall be paid by the county in which the investigation or prosecution occurs, to the same extent as if conducted by the district attorney of that county.
(4) Except as otherwise provided by law, a local law enforcement agency investigating a violation of ORS § 358.920 or 390.235 shall provide copies of all investigatory reports to the Commission on Indian Services.
(5) The power granted to the Attorney General by this section does not deprive a district attorney of any authority or relieve a district attorney from any duty to prosecute criminal violations of law and advise the officers of the county in which the district attorney holds office. [2017 c.242 § 4]
358.937 was added to and made a part of 358.905 to 358.961 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.