ORS 163.773: Enforcement of restraining order; service by sheriff; termination order; contempt proceeding.

(1)(a) When a restraining order is issued in accordance with ORS 163.760 to 163.777 and the person to be restrained has actual notice of the restraining order, the clerk of the court or any other person serving the petition and the restraining order shall immediately deliver to a county sheriff copies of the petition and the restraining order and a true copy of proof of service on which it is stated that the petition and the restraining order were served personally on the respondent. If alternative service is ordered by the court, the person performing service shall instead immediately deliver to the county sheriff copies of the petition, the restraining order and, if applicable, the summons, and a true copy of proof of service on which it is stated that alternative service was completed in accordance with ORCP 7 D(6). Proof of service may be made by affidavit or by declaration under penalty of perjury. If a restraining order entered by the circuit court recites that the respondent appeared in person before the court, the necessity for service of the restraining order and proof of service is waived. (b) Upon receipt of a copy of the restraining order and notice of completion of any required service by a member of a law enforcement agency, the county sheriff shall immediately enter the restraining order into the Law Enforcement Data System maintained by the Department of State Police and the databases of the National Crime Information Center of the United States Department of Justice. If the petition and the restraining order were served on the respondent by a person other than a member of a law enforcement agency, or if alternative service was ordered by the court and completed in accordance with ORCP 7 D(6), the county sheriff shall enter the restraining order into the Law Enforcement Data System and the databases of the National Crime Information Center upon receipt of a true copy of proof of service. The sheriff shall provide the petitioner with a true copy of any required proof of service. (c) Entry into the Law Enforcement Data System constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the restraining order. Law enforcement agencies shall establish procedures adequate to ensure that an officer at the scene of an alleged violation of the restraining order may be informed of the existence and terms of the restraining order. The restraining order is fully enforceable in any county or tribal land in this state. (d) When a restraining order has been entered into the Law Enforcement Data System and the databases of the National Crime Information Center of the United States Department of Justice under this subsection, a county sheriff shall cooperate with a request from a law enforcement agency from any other jurisdiction to verify the existence of the restraining order or to transmit a copy of the restraining order to the requesting jurisdiction. (2) A sheriff may serve a restraining order issued under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 in the county in which the sheriff was elected and in any county that is adjacent to the county in which the sheriff was elected. (3)(a) A sheriff may serve and enter into the Law Enforcement Data System a copy of a restraining order issued under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 that was transmitted to the sheriff by a circuit court or law enforcement agency through an electronic communication device. Before transmitting a copy of a restraining order to a sheriff under this subsection through an electronic communication device, the person transmitting the copy must receive confirmation from the sheriff’s office that an electronic communication device is available and operating. (b) For purposes of this subsection, “electronic communication device” means a device by which any kind of electronic communication can be made, including but not limited to communication by telephonic facsimile and electronic mail. (4) When a circuit court enters an order terminating a restraining order issued under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 before the expiration date, the clerk of the court shall immediately deliver a copy of the termination order to the county sheriff with whom the original restraining order was filed. Upon receipt of the termination order, the county sheriff shall promptly remove the original restraining order from the Law Enforcement Data System and the databases of the National Crime Information Center of the United States Department of Justice. (5)(a) A contempt proceeding for an alleged violation of a restraining order issued under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 must be conducted by the circuit court that issued the restraining order or by the circuit court for the county in which the alleged violation of the restraining order occurs. If contempt proceedings are initiated in the circuit court for the county in which the alleged violation of the restraining order occurs, the person initiating the contempt proceedings shall file with the court a copy of the restraining order that is certified by the clerk of the court that originally issued the restraining order. Upon filing of the certified copy of the restraining order, the circuit court shall enforce the restraining order as though that court had originally issued the restraining order. (b) Pending a contempt hearing for an alleged violation of a restraining order issued under ORS 163.760 to 163.777, a person arrested and taken into custody pursuant to ORS 133.310 may be released as provided in ORS 135.230 to 135.290. (c) Service of process or other legal documents upon the petitioner is not a violation of a restraining order entered under ORS 163.760 to 163.777 if the petitioner is served as provided in ORCP 7 or 9. [2013 c.687 §6; 2015 c.121 §23; 2021 c.496 §3]