349 P.3d 628
Or. Ct. App.2015Background
- In May 2012 defendant rented a U-Haul truck in Springdale, Arkansas for a one-day, in-town move; the truck was recovered in Oregon ~25 days later. Defendant was charged and convicted of unauthorized use of a vehicle (UUV) under ORS 164.135(1)(c).
- U-Haul records and manager testimony showed the rental was intended to be returned to the Arkansas location the next day; U-Haul repeatedly attempted contact after the truck was not returned and began recovery procedures. Defendant had not paid an additional deposit required to extend the rental.
- At trial the state introduced U-Haul computer printouts showing accrued charges of about $4,230.60 and an initial $100 deposit; the prosecutor did not press the payment issue. On cross, defense elicited testimony that the amount appeared owed.
- Defendant proffered a separate U-Haul printout, timestamped the morning of trial, purporting to show the $4,230.60 had been paid; the court excluded it as irrelevant and the jury convicted defendant of UUV.
- At sentencing the court left restitution open for the state to determine and notify defendant; the state submitted a supplemental judgment ordering $2,147.60 restitution and the court entered it the same day without giving defendant the promised opportunity to be heard.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissibility of post-arrest U-Haul payment printout | Payment evidence not relevant to UUV; state introduced only business records of charges | Payment shows contract was "fluid" and that defendant accepted financial responsibility, so retention was not a "gross deviation"; alternatively, curative admissibility because state "opened the door" by showing an outstanding balance | Exclusion affirmed — payment/nonpayment irrelevant to whether retention was a gross deviation from the agreed return time; defendant also cannot invoke curative admissibility because he elicited and failed to object to the state records |
| Whether trial court violated ORS 137.106(5) by entering supplemental restitution judgment without hearing | Department (state) sought restitution and provided amount to court; entry was proper | Defendant argues he was promised 10 days to request a restitution hearing and was denied a meaningful opportunity to be heard before the supplemental judgment was entered | Reversed (vacated supplemental judgment) — court erred as defendant was not given required opportunity to object or be heard; remand for restitution proceedings |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Titus, 328 Or. 475, 982 P.2d 1133 (legal standard for reviewing relevance)
- Wynn v. Sundquist, 259 Or. 125, 485 P.2d 1085 (describing curative admissibility doctrine)
- Peeples v. Lampert, 345 Or. 209, 191 P.3d 637 (preservation gives way when party had no practical ability to raise issue)
- State v. Beckham, 253 Or. App. 609, 292 P.3d 611 (lack of notice/opportunity to object makes preservation principles inapposite)
- State v. DeCamp, 158 Or. App. 238, 973 P.2d 922 (party cannot be required to contemporaneously object when unaware of court action)
- State v. Noble, 231 Or. App. 185, 217 P.3d 1130 (review standard for restitution orders)
- State v. Selmer, 231 Or. App. 31, 217 P.3d 1092 (error arises when court issues order without prior opportunity to object)
