- (1) The district attorney for the county where the death occurs may order an inquest to obtain a jury finding of the cause and manner of death in any case requiring investigation.
- (2) For the purpose of conducting an inquest, the district attorney shall have the powers of a judicial officer as described by ORS 1.240 and 1.250.
- (3) The district attorney shall advise the jury of inquest as to its duties and instruct the jury on questions of law.
- (4) The district attorney shall cause a record of the inquest proceedings to be made which shall include the written order of inquest, a record of the testimony of witnesses and the written verdict of the jury.
- (5) Within a reasonable time after the verdict is returned, the record of inquest shall be filed in the district medical examiner’s office for the county where the inquest was held.
- (6) A copy of the order of inquest and verdict of the jury shall be filed in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
- (7) The record of inquest shall be available for inspection as provided by ORS 146.035 (5).
[1973 c.408 §21; 1987 c.142 §3; 2017 c.151 §20]