(1) A confession alone is sufficient to warrant the conviction of the defendant without some other proof that the crime has been committed if:

Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 136.427

  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(a) The state files notice in accordance with subsection (3) of this section;

(b) The defendant is charged with a crime listed in ORS § 163A.005;

(c) The victim of the crime is a vulnerable person;

(d) The victim is incompetent to testify under ORS § 40.310;

(e) The confession is made to a peace officer or a federal officer, as those terms are defined in ORS § 133.005, or to an individual conducting an investigation under ORS § 430.745, while the officer or individual is acting in the course of official duty; and

(f) The court finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish the trustworthiness of the confession.

(2) In making the determination described in subsection (1)(f) of this section, the court shall consider the following factors, in addition to other factors the court considers important:

(a) Whether there is evidence demonstrating the truthfulness of portions of the confession;

(b) Whether the defendant had the opportunity to commit the crime;

(c) The method of interrogation used to solicit the confession; and

(d) Whether the defendant is a vulnerable person.

(3) The state shall file notice of the intention to rely on this section within 60 days of the arraignment, or of the defendant’s entry of the initial plea on an accusatory instrument, whichever is sooner. The court shall grant the state an extension for good cause shown.

(4) When the state files the notice described in subsection (3) of this section, the court shall conduct a hearing prior to trial. After the hearing, the court shall enter an order that indicates whether the confession alone is sufficient to warrant the conviction of the defendant without some other proof that the crime has been committed.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Activities of daily living’ includes dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, exercising appropriate personal hygiene practices and moving from place to place.

(b) ‘Vulnerable person’ means:

(A) A person under 18 years of age;

(B) A person 65 years of age or older;

(C) A person who meets the medical criteria for the receipt of services from a community program or facility as those terms are defined in ORS § 430.735;

(D) A person with a developmental disability as that term is defined in ORS § 40.460 (18a)(d); or

(E) A person who, as the result of a diagnosed medical condition, requires assistance in two or more activities of daily living. [2009 c.875 § 2]

 

136.427 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 136 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

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