Arrest Reports and Laws

Value of property.


For the purposes of chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, the value of property shall be ascertained as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise specified in this section, value means the market value of the property at the time and place of the crime, or if such cannot reasonably be ascertained, the cost of replacement of the property within a reasonable time after the crime.
(2) Whether or not they have been issued or delivered, certain written instruments, not including those having a readily ascertainable market value, shall be evaluated as follows:
(a) The value of an instrument constituting an evidence of debt, including, but not limited to, a check, draft or promissory note, shall be considered the amount due or collectible thereon or thereby.
(b) The value of any other instrument which creates, releases, discharges or otherwise affects any valuable legal right, privilege or obligation shall be considered the greatest amount of economic loss which the owner might reasonably suffer because of the loss of the instrument.
(3) The value of a gambling chip, token, imitation currency or similar device is its face value.
(4) The value of the wildlife listed in ORS 496.705 is the amount of damages as specified in ORS 496.705.
(5) When the value of property cannot reasonably be ascertained, it shall be presumed to be an amount less than $50 in a case of theft, and less than $500 in any other case.
(6) The value of single theft transactions may be added together if the thefts were committed:
(a) Against multiple victims by similar means within a 30-day period; or
(b) Against the same victim, or two or more persons who are joint owners, within a 180-day period. [1971 c.743 §131; 1987 c.907 §6; 1993 c.680 §22; 1997 c.867 §18; 2011 c.363 §2]