State v. Lafferty
240 Or. App. 564
Or. Ct. App.2011Background
- State appeals convictions and sentences for third‑degree assault and first‑degree burglary, challenging the criminal history calculation.
- Prosecutor offered a plea including potential use of a juvenile adjudication to compute the criminal history score (D) under SB 528 and ORS 136.760–136.792.
- Defendant had a 2002 Harney County juvenile adjudication; the state claimed it could be used to increase criminal history score even though defendant lacked jury trial rights in juvenile case.
- Plea and sentencing proceeded with open sentencing; the presentence report included the juvenile adjudication as an enhancement fact.
- Defendant objected that Harris controls and the state failed to provide adequate notice under ORS 136.765 that it would rely on the juvenile adjudication for criminal history.
- The trial court and the Oregon Court of Appeals (Harris remained controlling) addressed whether ORS 136.776 requires a written waiver of the jury trial on enhancement facts and whether defendant validly waived that right.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adequacy of notice under ORS 136.765 | State satisfied notice by plea offers and history worksheet. | Notice did not unambiguously convey reliance on juvenile adjudication for history. | Notice adequate; Harris controls on waiver question. |
| Effect of ORS 136.776 on jury waiver for enhancement facts | Guilty pleas constitute waiver of enhancement facts under ORS 136.776. | Waiver must be an intentional, knowing waiver of sentencing facts; not shown here. | Statute requires knowing, written waiver for enhancement facts; not satisfied here. |
| Impact of Harris vs. SB 528 on sentencing enhancements | Harris is superseded by SB 528; enhancements may be proved by notice and waiver. | Harris remains controlling; defendant did not knowingly waive enhancement rights. | Harris remains controlling; no valid waiver of sentencing enhancement rights found. |
Key Cases Cited
- Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000) (upward penalty enhancements require jury findings beyond prior convictions)
- Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296 (2004) (Apprendi applied to sentencing guidelines, except for admitted facts or prior convictions)
- State v. Harris, 339 Or. 157 (2005) (juvenile adjudications may enhance sentence if proved to jury or admitted with informed waiver)
- State v. Wick, 216 Or. App. 404 (2007) (adequate notice under ORS 136.765 requires writing, timing, and clear content)
- State v. Heilman, 339 Or. 661 (2005) (implied waivers of jury rights can arise; but must be scrutinized for knowing relinquishment)
- State v. Gornick, 340 Or. 160 (2006) (preservation of jury rights; explicit objections important to determine error)
