Oregon’s Most Serious Felony Charges
Oregon Measure 11 Defense Attorney — When the Stakes Are Years in Prison
Measure 11 charges carry mandatory minimum prison sentences that no judge can reduce — regardless of the circumstances. If you or someone you know has been charged with a Measure 11 offense in Oregon, you need the most experienced defense available, immediately.
Oregon’s Harshest Criminal Law
Measure 11 Means Mandatory Prison — No Exceptions
Approved by Oregon voters in November 1994 and amended several times since, Measure 11 applies mandatory minimum prison sentences — and mandatory minimum bail amounts — to a defined list of serious felony offenses. If you are convicted of a Measure 11 crime, the court has no discretion: it is legally obligated to impose the full minimum sentence listed under the law.
That means no early release, no reduction for good behavior, no eligibility for temporary leave, and no ability for a judge to consider mitigating circumstances in reducing the sentence below the mandatory minimum. A conviction for Assault I, for example, means a minimum of 7 years and 6 months in prison — period.
This is why Measure 11 cases are among the most serious matters in Oregon’s criminal justice system, and why the quality of your legal defense matters more here than in almost any other type of case. A strong defense is not just about the outcome at trial — it can affect the charges filed, the bail amount set, and every negotiation that happens before a jury ever sees the case.
Casey Kovacic is well-versed in Oregon’s Measure 11 law and works one-on-one with each client — taking the time to listen, understand the facts, and develop a defense strategy grounded in years of serious felony criminal defense experience. He understands the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with facing these charges and is committed to giving you the honest, practical guidance you need.
Understanding Measure 11
Three Things Every Defendant Must Understand
Measure 11 operates differently from most criminal laws. These are the rules that define why the stakes are so high — and why the defense must begin immediately.
No Judicial Discretion on Sentencing
Once a Measure 11 conviction is entered, the judge has no choice. The mandatory minimum sentence listed in the statute must be imposed in full. There is no mechanism for a judge to reduce it based on circumstances, character, or any other factor. The only path to a shorter outcome is avoiding conviction — which means strong negotiation, thorough investigation, and the most aggressive defense possible before trial.
No Early Release or Reduction
Unlike many other felony sentences in Oregon, Measure 11 sentences cannot be reduced for good behavior, program completion, or any other reason. The minimum sentence listed is the minimum time served — not a guideline or a starting point. Defendants must serve every day of the mandatory minimum before any further review is possible.
Oregon Measure 11 Mandatory Minimums
Mandatory Minimum Sentences by Charge
The following table lists the Measure 11 offenses and the mandatory minimum prison sentence associated with each. These are the floors — the absolute minimum time in custody upon conviction. A judge may impose more, but never less.
| ORS | Offense | Mandatory Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| ORS 161.405 | Attempted Murder | 7 yrs, 6 mos |
| ORS 163.095 | Attempted Aggravated Murder | 10 years |
| ORS 163.115 | Murder | 25 years |
| ORS 163.118 | Manslaughter I | 10 years |
| ORS 163.125 | Manslaughter II | 6 yrs, 3 mos |
| ORS 163.175 | Assault II | 5 yrs, 10 mos |
| ORS 163.185 | Assault I | 7 yrs, 6 mos |
| ORS 163.225 | Kidnapping II | 5 yrs, 10 mos |
| ORS 163.235 | Kidnapping I | 7 yrs, 6 mos |
| ORS 163.365 | Rape II | 6 yrs, 3 mos |
| ORS 163.375 | Rape I | 8 yrs, 4 mos |
| ORS 163.395 | Sodomy II | 6 yrs, 3 mos |
| ORS 163.405 | Sodomy I | 8 yrs, 4 mos |
| ORS 163.411 | Unlawful Sexual Penetration II | 6 yrs, 3 mos |
| ORS 163.412 | Unlawful Sexual Penetration I | 8 yrs, 4 mos |
| ORS 163.427 | Sexual Abuse I | 6 yrs, 3 mos |
| ORS 163.670 | Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct | 5 yrs, 10 mos |
| ORS 164.325 | Arson I | 7 yrs, 6 mos |
| ORS 164.405 | Robbery II | 5 yrs, 10 mos |
| ORS 164.415 | Robbery I | 7 yrs, 6 mos |
| ORS 167.017 | Compelling Prostitution | 5 yrs, 10 mos |
Note: Measure 11 has been amended multiple times since its enactment in 1994. The applicable law in your case depends on the date of the alleged offense. Contact Casey to discuss how the current statute applies to your specific situation.
Measure 11 Offense Categories
Oregon Measure 11 Crimes Casey Kovacic Defends
Measure 11 covers a broad range of serious felony offenses. Casey has experience defending clients against all of the following charge categories in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and other Oregon counties.
Murder & Attempted Murder
Murder carries a 25-year mandatory minimum under Measure 11 — among the most severe sentences in Oregon’s criminal code. These cases require meticulous review of the evidence, the investigation’s methods, and every available legal defense including self-defense, mitigating circumstances, and charge reduction strategies.
Manslaughter
Both Manslaughter I and Manslaughter II carry mandatory minimums of 10 years and 6 years, 3 months respectively. The distinction between these charges — and the difference between manslaughter and murder — often turns on the specific facts of what occurred and the mental state of the defendant at the time.
Assault I & II
Assault I carries a 7-year, 6-month mandatory minimum, while Assault II carries 5 years, 10 months. These charges frequently arise from altercations where there is significant dispute about what actually occurred, who initiated the contact, and whether self-defense was involved — all of which are central to the defense.
Kidnapping I & II
Kidnapping charges in Oregon can arise from a wide range of situations, including domestic disputes and custody conflicts, and carry mandatory minimums of 5 years, 10 months to 7 years, 6 months. The specific facts — including movement, intent, and consent — are critical to the defense strategy.
Rape & Sexual Offenses
Rape I and II, Sodomy I and II, Unlawful Sexual Penetration, and Sexual Abuse I all carry Measure 11 mandatory minimums ranging from 5 years, 10 months to 8 years, 4 months. These cases require careful examination of the evidence, witness credibility, and any consent or identification issues.
Robbery I & II
Robbery charges — which carry mandatory minimums of 5 years, 10 months to 7 years, 6 months — often turn on questions of force, the presence of a weapon, and the identification of the defendant. Casey scrutinizes the evidence and the investigation’s reliability in every robbery case he defends.
Arson I
Arson I carries a 7-year, 6-month mandatory minimum and is often prosecuted on the basis of expert fire investigation testimony. Casey works to critically examine these expert opinions and the methodology behind them — which can be a pivotal element of the defense.
Your Defense
Why Measure 11 Defendants Choose Casey Kovacic
Extensive Measure 11 Experience From His Years as a Public Defender
Before opening his own firm, Casey spent eight years as a staff attorney at Metropolitan Public Defender Services — one of the most active criminal defense offices in Oregon. He handled Measure 11 cases at every level during that time, including charges of homicide, assault, and major sex crimes. That experience is not something that can be replicated quickly — and in Measure 11 cases, it can make the difference between decades in prison and a different outcome.
Defense Begins Before Charges Are Filed
If you or someone you know is under investigation for a Measure 11 offense, do not wait to be formally charged before retaining counsel. Casey can get involved during the investigation phase — before a case is submitted to the District Attorney’s Office — which can significantly affect what charges are ultimately filed, how evidence is gathered, and what options exist going forward.
Understanding of Bail and Pre-Trial Release
Measure 11 charges carry mandatory minimum bail amounts that can make release difficult without legal intervention. Casey understands the urgency of coordinating his client’s release from custody so they can maintain employment and family obligations while the case is pending — which can take well over a year to resolve in serious felony matters.
One-on-One Attention to Every Client
The complexity of a Measure 11 case demands an attorney who takes the time to fully understand the facts, listen to the client’s account, and develop a defense strategy that fits the specific circumstances. Casey works directly with every client — not through paralegals or junior attorneys — ensuring that nothing is missed and that you always know where your case stands.
Committed to Pursuing Just Outcomes — No Matter the Charge
Casey understands the sense of uncertainty and anxiety that comes with facing a Measure 11 charge. He also understands that these cases are complex, that the law has changed multiple times since 1994, and that those changes can affect outcomes. He approaches every case with the goal of achieving the most just result the facts allow — and he will be honest with you about what that looks like.
Don’t Wait — The Investigation Has Already Begun
Facing a Measure 11 Charge in Oregon? Contact Casey Kovacic Immediately.
Measure 11 cases require the strongest possible defense from the very beginning. Whether you have just been arrested or believe you may be under investigation, contact Casey today for a confidential consultation.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124