Oregon Legal Research Blog
Legislators and judges, among others (e.g. Humpty Dumpty in “Through the Looking Glass”), have the right to define words, assuming there is a need for them to do so.
Court clarifies the definition of “tampers” as it is used in ORS 164.345(1):
State of Oregon v. Terry Dean Schoen, (TC 04494) (CA A129669) (SC S057652)
From the OJD 4/15/10 Media Release:
“On review from the Court of Appeals in an appeal from Baker County Circuit Court, Warner Wasley, Senior Judge. 229 Or App 427, 211 P3d 948 (2009). The decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed. The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the case is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings. Opinion of the Court by Justice Thomas A. Balmer.
Today, the Oregon Supreme Court held that the word “tampers,” as used in the third-degree criminal mischief statute, requires conduct that alters, rearranges, or changes property….” (Link to Media Release.)