Son of Measure 11 is Born, to go Before Oregon Voters in 2008

Measure 11, a 1994 ballot measure, set minimum mandatory sentences for violent crimes and serious sex offenses. It was approved by Oregon voters, by a nearly two-thirds majority, and went into effect on April 1st, 1995.

Kevin Mannix Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Drug manufactures and dealers, identity and car thieves, home and business burglars, and forgers in Oregon listen up, get caught and you will be going to prison, no questions asked.

Former Republican State Party Chairman, Gubernatorial candidate, and Measure 11 author Kevin Mannix has submitted a ballot initiative petition for the November 2008 General Election that if approved by voters would set mandatory minimums for the manufacturing and dealing of street drugs and certain property crimes.

Oregon ranks eighth highest in the U.S. for property crimes.

“I’m glad to put these predatory criminals behind bars” Mannix said. “Property crimes such as identity theft are especially damaging to our citizens because they create a sense of personal violation, and the criminals who commit these crimes need to by held accountable, not with a slap on the wrist, or probation, in prison” Mannix added.

One key point about the measure Mannix pointed out is that sentences imposed would be served in state prison facilities and work camps. Sentences could not be served in county jails, except as to time served pending trial. Also the state would be required to reimburse the county as to the actual cost of pretrial incarceration of each person sentenced under the measure.

The first four crimes listed below would be for anyone convicted of the crime, while the over four would require at least one prior misdemeanor or felony conviction.

Mandatory minimum sentences under the proposed ballot measure would be as follows:

36 months for the illegal manufacture or illegal delivery of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine under circumstances constituting a Class A felony under ORS Chapter 475.

30 months for the illegal manufacture or illegal delivery of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine under circumstances constituting a Class B felony under ORS Chapter 475.

36 months for identity theft as defined in ORS 165.800

36 months for burglary in the first degree as defined in ORS 164.225.

18 months for forgery in the first degree as defined in ORS 165.013, when the person has a serious criminal record.

18 months for motor vehicle theft as defined in Section 4 of this Act, when the person has a serious criminal record.

14 months for theft in the first degree as defined in ORS 164.055, when the person has a serious criminal record.

14 months for burglary in the second degree as defined in ORS 164.215, when the person has a serious criminal record.

* For the purposes of this Act, a person has a serious criminal record when the person has at least one pervious conviction of a felony or at least two previous convictions of misdemeanors.

* For the purposes of this Act, “previous conviction” includes any conviction occurring on, or after January 1, 2009, and any conviction entered in any other state or federal court for any offense comparable to any Oregon misdemeanor or felony.

* For the purposes of this Act, “motor vehicle theft” means theft, as defined in ORS 164.015, of a passenger motor vehicle in ORS 801.360, a motor truck as defined in ORS 801.355, or a motorcycle as defined in ORS 801.365. Motor vehicle theft is classified as a Class C felony.

If approved by voters, the measure would take effect on January, 1st 2009.

Mannix said signature gathers for the proposed ballot measure will be hitting the streets around the state this week.