Measure 11

What is Measure 11?

Oregon’s Measure 11 ballot initiative, implemented in 1995, set a mandatory minimum sentence for anyone who commits certain serious crimes. Before 2020, anyone age 15 and older charged with a Measure 11 crime was automatically tried in adult court.

Senate Bill 1008

Effective January 1, 2020

Last year, the Oregon Legislature passed and Gov. Kate Brown signed a juvenile justice reform bill called Senate Bill 1008. The law took effect Jan. 1, 2020. It is intended to reduce victimization, increase positive outcomes for youth, make the judicial process fairer, and make communities safer. But exactly what changes are taking place in the juvenile system as a result of SB 1008? Here are seven things to know about the new law:

All youth accused of criminal conduct start in juvenile court, even for Measure 11 crimes.

Now, all youth, regardless of their crimes, start in the juvenile court system. If a prosecutor wants to move a case to adult court, they must request a waiver hearing with a juvenile court judge. During that hearing, the judge will hear both sides, then decide whether to move the case to adult court.

For youth who commit Measure 11 crimes but stay in the juvenile system, Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), the state’s juvenile justice agency, is implementing a higher level of review before paroling them to the community. OYA is also revamping its parole criteria and case planning process to create a clearer and more objective list of developmental milestones incarcerated youth will need to meet before they are deemed ready for release.