442 P.3d 1089
Or.2019Background
- Defendant managed a Beaverton-area strip club; he and co-defendant Moreno‑Hernandez brought a 13‑year‑old girl (S) to the club, had her work there, split prostitution proceeds, and defendant had sex with S.
- S was placed in legal custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and sent to Mingus Mountain, a treatment facility for sexually exploited girls; DHS or Oregon Health Plan paid for the treatment.
- Defendant pleaded guilty to second‑degree sodomy, first‑degree sexual abuse, and compelling prostitution (all relating to S), and to a separate promoting prostitution count not involving S.
- At sentencing the trial court imposed a $200 fine and a $150,000 compensatory fine payable to S, plus a 180‑month consecutive prison term; defendant objected to the compensatory fine for lack of evidence of economic damages.
- The Court of Appeals reversed the compensatory fine portion but did not remand for resentencing; this Court granted review and remanded for resentencing, concluding the trial court erred in imposing the compensatory fine.
Issues
| Issue | State's Argument | Toth's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether a compensatory fine payable to the victim (S) could be imposed | The victim’s treatment at Mingus Mountain resulted in economic damages supporting a compensatory fine | No evidence S personally incurred economic damages; compensatory fine improper | Court held trial court erred: record shows DHS/OHP paid treatment, so S did not suffer recoverable economic damages for those expenses |
| Whether defendant’s plea or sentencing waiver constituted a stipulation to prerequisites for a compensatory fine | Not argued below; on review, state contended plea allowed fines at court’s discretion, implying stipulation | Defendant argued he did not stipulate to compensatory fine or to S having economic damages | Court rejected state’s late‑raised argument: no record evidence defendant stipulated to compensatory fine or damages |
| Whether remand for resentencing is required after deleting compensatory fine | Court of Appeals had declined to remand | Toth argued deletion should stand without remand | Court held remand required because compensatory designation may reflect trial court’s overall sentencing intent and alternative recipients (e.g., DHS) remain options |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Moreno‑Hernandez, 365 Or. 175, 442 P.3d 1092 (Or. 2019) (interpreting compensatory fine prerequisites and holding child’s medical expenses paid by third party are not the child’s economic damages)
- State v. Barkley, 315 Or. 420, 846 P.2d 390 (Or. 1993) (third prerequisite: damages must be recoverable in a civil action)
- State v. Edson, 329 Or. 127, 985 P.2d 1253 (Or. 1999) (remand and resentencing principles when fines are altered)
- State v. Moreno‑Hernandez, 290 Or. App. 468, 415 P.3d 1088 (Or. Ct. App. 2018) (Court of Appeals decision addressing compensatory fine issues later reviewed)
- State v. Toth, 290 Or. App. 925, 417 P.3d 479 (Or. Ct. App. 2018) (Court of Appeals decision reversing compensatory fine but not remanding)
