Oregon Measure 8, Revision of Prosecutor and Police Powers Initiative (1984)
| Oregon Measure 8 | |
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| Topic Civil and criminal trials and Law enforcement |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 8 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 6, 1984. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported revising multiple law enforcement and criminal trial statutes, such as expanding the prosector’s control over trial procedures, trying multiple defendant jointly, and preventing dismissals after civil compromises. |
A "no" vote opposed revising multiple law enforcement and criminal trial statutes, such as expanding the prosector’s control over trial procedures, trying multiple defendant jointly, and preventing dismissals after civil compromises. |
Election results
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Oregon Measure 8 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 552,410 | 48.02% | ||
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597,964 | 51.98% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 8 was as follows:
| “ | REVISES NUMEROUS CRIMINAL LAWS CONCERNING POLICE POWERS, TRIALS, EVIDENCE, SENTENCING QUESTION - Shall prosecutor’s control over trial procedures be expanded, and major changes made in police powers, evidence, sentencing, parole, victim’s rights. EXPLANATION - NOTICE: THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT IDENTIFY ALL CHANGES PROPOSED TO CRIMINAL STATUTES. Gives prosectors new or additional authority, including to compel jury trials, prevent dismissals after civil compromises, try multiple defendants jointly; repeals statutes regulating stops and searches of persons and statutes allowing challenges to illegal or unconstitutionally obtained evidence; gives victim role in trial scheduling, sentencing, parole; expands cross-examination on witness’s prior convictions; regulates multiple and consecutive sentences; makes other changes. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL EFFECT - Passage of this measure will increase by up to $3.0 million the annual recurring costs for the state court system and the costs for prosecution and defense. Election costs will increase by $41,000. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
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