State v. Waechter
State v. Waechter
Opinion of the Court
Defendant appeals from his conviction for theft of services in the second degree. ORS 164.125. We reverse.
On April 29,1996, defendant was charged with theft of services by making unauthorized long distance telephone calls on his roommate’s telephone. On August 7, 1996, while incarcerated at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute (EOCI), defendant mailed a speedy trial demand to the court and the district attorney, in accordance with ORS 135.760.
The next day, the state refiled the complaint with a new case number. Defendant filed a motion to dismiss and a motion to incorporate the entire record of the previous proceeding. The trial court granted the motion to incorporate the record from the previous proceeding but denied the motion to dismiss. In a bench trial on stipulated facts, defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months’ probation, subject to payment of $652.25 in restitution.
Defendant appeals, assigning error to the trial court’s denial of his motion to dismiss. He argues that the trial court should have dismissed the case because the dismissal in the first case should have been with prejudice. Defendant contends that ORS 135.765 does not permit a trial court to dismiss a case without prejudice because to do so would nullify the purpose of the statute. Alternatively, defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering that the first case be dismissed without prejudice because
At the outset, the state contends that we should not consider defendant’s arguments because defendant moved for dismissal “upon the grounds in the attached Affidavit of Counsel.” In the attached affidavit, counsel recites that the first case was dismissed for violation of the 90-day rule found in ORS 135.763, that the case was dismissed without prejudice, that counsel requested that the case be dismissed with prejudice, and that, after hearing arguments of counsel, the court declined to dismiss with prejudice. The affidavit concludes: “Defendant makes this affidavit in support of his Motion to Dismiss and respectfully requests that the court reconsider its opinion.”
The state argues that “[defendant has appealed from a motion seeking reconsideration of a previously denied motion” and that the trial court’s denial of that motion without comment “is equally consistent with the court declining to reconsider its previous ruling at all.” The state claims that we should not consider defendant’s arguments because defendant failed to argue that the trial court abused its discretion in declining to reconsider its earlier ruling. Defendant responds that the motion that he filed was a “motion to dismiss,” not a “motion seeking reconsideration,” and that the language in the affidavit requesting that the court “reconsider its opinion” was intended simply to acknowledge to the judge that he had addressed the issue before.
Essentially, the state is arguing that defendant may not challenge the judgment in the first case, namely, dismissal without prejudice, on appeal in the second case. However, as defendant points out, and the state concedes, he could not appeal from the initial order of dismissal without prejudice under ORS 138.020 and ORS 138.053. Thus, defendant’s first opportunity to challenge that decision was when the state refiled the charges.
We turn now to the merits of defendant’s arguments. Under ORS 135.760, a person who is imprisoned and against whom there is a charge pending may demand that the state bring the case to trial “forthwith.” ORS 135.763 requires the district attorney to bring the prisoner to trial within 90 days of receiving notice of the inmate’s demand. If the prisoner is not brought to trial within 90 days, then, either on its own motion or on the prisoner’s motion, the court must dismiss the charges pursuant to ORS 135.765. The only circumstances in which dismissal is not required are when failure to bring the prisoner to trial within 90 days is a result of motions filed on behalf of the prisoner, where continuance for good cause is allowed, or when the prisoner is unavailable for trial for reasons other than the imprisonment. ORS 136.765 is silent as to whether dismissal shall be with or without prejudice and whether that decision is within the discretion of the court. Accordingly, we must determine what the legislature intended. See PGE v. Bureau of Labor and Industries, 317 Or 606, 610-12, 859 P2d 1143 (1993) (outlining methodology for interpreting a statute).
We begin by noting that, although we have not specifically held that a dismissal under these circumstances is a dismissal with prejudice, at least three of our previous decisions strongly suggest that a dismissal of a criminal charge pursuant to ORS 135.760 et seq. is a bar to further prosecution of that charge. In State v. Kent, 5 Or App 297, 484 P2d 1109 (1971), the defendant was indicted on charges of inducement of a child into a conveyance with the intent to commit a sex offense, sodomy, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He filed a speedy trial request under former ORS 134.510 et seq. (renumbered ORS 135.760 et seq.), on October 6, 1969. A second indictment with the same file number, listing the first two charges, but omitting the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (because the underlying statute had been declared unconstitutional), was returned on December 19, 1969. On January 5, 1970, more than 90 days after his speedy trial request, the defendant filed a motion to dismiss under former ORS 134.520(1). The trial court denied the motion, and the defendant was convicted on the first two counts. On appeal, the state argued that reindictment of the defendant on December 19 started the 90-day period running anew. However, after noting that reindictment was not necessary because the contributing charge could have been eliminated with a motion to dismiss the third count, we reversed, holding that “[t]he state may not evade the purpose of ORS 134.510 et seq., by a process of re-indictment and dismissal.” Kent, 5 Or App at 300.
We reiterated that holding in State v. Gilliland, 90 Or App 477, 752 P2d 1255 (1988). There, an information of
“The basis for our decision in Gilliland was that, once a defendant has requested a speedy trial on charges in an information, indictment or criminal complaint, the state cannot avoid its obligation under ORS 135.760 et seq. by dismissing one accusatory instrument and replacing it with another.” (Emphasis in original.)
These three cases make it clear that a prisoner’s right to a speedy trial within 90 days of when the district attorney receives a request under ORS 135.760 et seq. applies to a particular charge, independent of the particular accusatory instrument under which that charge is initially brought, and that the state cannot avoid its obligation by a process of dismissal and reindictment.
Under the PGE methodology, we must first examine the text and context of a statute because the wording of a statute “is the best evidence of the legislature’s intent.” 317 Or at 610. The context of a statute relevant at the first level of analysis may include other provisions of the same statute and related statutes, id. at 610-11, prior enactments and prior judicial interpretations of that statute and related statutes, Owens v. Maass, 323 Or 430, 435, 918 P2d 808 (1996), and historical context of the relevant enactments. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Tualatin Tire & Auto, 322 Or 406, 415, 908 P2d 300 (1995), on recons 325 Or 46, 932 P2d 1141 (1997). Only if the intent of the legislature is not clear from the first level of analysis may legislative history be considered. PGE, 317 Or at 611. If the legislative history fails to yield an unambiguous result, then consideration may be given to pertinent maxims of construction. Id. at 612.
Examination of the text of ORS 135.765 reveals only that the court “shall dismiss,” subject to certain exceptions, “any criminal proceeding not brought to trial in accordance with ORS 135.763” (the 90-day rule). As to the plain meaning of that text, the state argues that, because the words “with prejudice” are notably absent from the text of ORS
As to the context of the statute, the state makes two arguments. First, the state argues that “pretrial dismissals of criminal cases are governed generally by ORS 136.130” and that, with regard to Class A misdemeanors like this case, the court has discretion to dismiss a case with or without prejudice. ORS 136.130 provides:
“If the court orders the accusatory instrument to be dismissed and the instrument charges a felony or Class A misdemeanor, the order is not a bar to another action for the same crime unless the court so directs. If the court does so direct, judgment of acquittal shall be entered. If the accusatory instrument charges an offense other than a felony or Class A misdemeanor, the order of dismissal shall be a bar to another action for the same offense.”
In State v. Ibkheitan, 115 Or App 415, 419 n 5, 838 P2d 1091 (1992), we noted that “[t]he dismissal of subsequent charges pursuant to ORS 136.130 requires that the dismissal of the original charges be pursuant to ORS 136.120,” citing State v. Carrillo, 311 Or 61, 66, 804 P2d 1161 (1991) (emphasis added). ORS 136.130 is not directly applicable to a prisoner’s right to a speedy trial. Rather, that statute applies specifically to cases that are dismissed because the district attorney is not ready to proceed on the appointed trial date and has not demonstrated to the court “any sufficient cause for postponing the trial.” ORS 136.120.
Second, the state argues that the language of the Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD), ORS 135.775 through ORS 135.793, provides appropriate context and
In our view, consideration of the text and context fail to provide a clear answer with regard to the legislature’s intended meaning of the word dismiss. It is therefore appropriate to consider legislative history. See PGE, 317 Or at 611-12. What legislative history that does exist was summarized by Justice Van Hoomissen in his dissent in State v. Person, 316 Or 585, 853 P2d 813 (1993). He described the legislative history relevant to ORS 135.765 as follows:
“The 1955 Senate and House Journal shows that the legislation was sponsored by Senator Francis at the request of*293 the State Board of Parole and Probation. The original bill file contains only one version of SB 412, showing no alterations during the session. See State v. Gardner, 233 Or 252, 260-61, 377 P2d 919 (1963) (‘neither is there available any legislative history which might throw light on the purpose intended to be accomplished by the enactment of [former ORS 134.510 to 134-530’]; State v. Person, supra, 113 Or App at 46 (Edmonds, J., dissenting) (discussing legislative history of statute). The only mention of SB 412 in the minutes of the Senate Judiciary Committee is the following: ‘Senator McMinimee moved that SB 412 be reported out do pass. Senator Johnson seconded the motion which carried unanimously. (Senator Francis) to take on floor of Senate.)’ Minutes, Senate Judiciary Committee, April 2, 1955. The House Judiciary Committee minutes, quoted in part in Judge Edmonds’ dissent in the Court of Appeals, state:
“ ‘Senate Bill 412
“ ‘Senator Francis spoke on this bill which makes provisions for prosecution of person imprisoned for crimes who are charged with the commission of other crimes. The inmate could request the District Attorney to make prosecution for such other crimes so that upon parole he will have a clean record. Sen. Francis stated the Parole Board felt this would be helpful to persons being released from a correctional institution. Rep. Overhulse moved the bill “do pass,” which motion carried.’ Minutes, House Judiciary Committee, April 18,1955.’ ” Person, 316 Or at 602-03 (Van Hoomissen, J., dissenting) (footnote omitted).
Although not extensive, the legislative history does make it clear that the legislature intended that ORS 135.760 et seq. afford prisoners the ability to clean up any pending charges as part of the reformative process and to allow the prisoner when deemed eligible for parole to begin parole unencumbered by pending criminal charges. To permit a prisoner’s case to be dismissed only to be activated again after the prisoner has been placed on parole would seem to be directly contrary to the reformative and disentanglement purpose of the statute.
Reversed.
ORS 135.760 provides:
“(1) Any inmate in the custody of the Department of Corrections or of the supervisory authority of a court pursuant to a commitment under ORS 137.124(2) against whom there is pending at the time of commitment or against whom there is filed at any time during imprisonment, in any court of this state, an indictment, information or criminal complaint charging the inmate with the commission of a crime, may give written notice to the district attorney of the court in which the inmate is so charged requesting the district attorney to prosecute and bring the inmate to trial on the charge forthwith.
“(2) The notice provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall be signed by the inmate and set forth the place and term of imprisonment. A copy of the notice shall be sent to the court in which the inmate has been charged by indictment, information or complaint.”
ORS 135.763 provides:
“(1) The district attorney, after receiving a notice requesting trial under ORS 135.760, shall, within 90 days of receipt of the notice, bring the inmate to trial upon the pending charge.
“(2) The court shall grant any reasonable continuance with the consent of the defendant. Notwithstanding the defendant’s lack of consent, the court may grant a continuance on motion of the district attorney or on its own motion, for good cause shown. The fact of imprisonment is not good cause for the purposes of this subsection.”
Defendant claims that he had no right to relief in mandamus on the first order “because he did not yet have an ‘injury’ to his substantial interests,” and the state agrees. We need not resolve that issue because, even if such relief were available to defendant, we do not require that he pursue such an extraordinary remedy.
We note that, in State v. Easton, 103 Or App 184, 797 P2d 373 (1990), when the defendant’s speedy trial request arrived after the initial felony information had been dismissed, but before an indictment on those charges had been issued, we held that the trial court erred in dismissing the case because a defendant cannot trigger the provisions of ORS 135.760 et seq. by requesting an early trial on charges when no accusatory instrument exists. That is not inconsistent with our position here
Article IV of the IAD provides, in part:
“(e) If trial is not had on any indictment, information or complaint contemplated hereby prior to the prisoner’s being returned to the original place of imprisonment pursuant to paragraph (e) of Article V of this agreement, such indictment, information or complaint shall not be of any further force or effect, and the court shall enter an order dismissing the same with prejudice.” ORS 135.775 (emphasis added).
On a similar note, the parties have directed us to an Oregon Supreme Court case that indicates in dictum that former ORS 134.510 et seq. “appears to have been patterned after a similar statute of California.” State v. Vawter, 236 Or 85, 89, 386 P2d 915 (1963). We do not consider that passing reference to the statute in Vawter as a sufficient basis to refer to or rely on the California court’s interpretation of a similarly worded statute.
The state also argues that dismissal without prejudice is an adequate remedy for the state’s violation of the 90-day rale of ORS 135.760 et seq., listing numerous
ORS 135.765 provides:
“(1) On motion of the defendant or the counsel of the defendant, or on its own motion, the court shall dismiss any criminal proceeding not brought to trial in accordance with ORS 135.763.
“(2) This section shall not apply:
“(a) When failure to bring the inmate to trial within 90 days after the district attorney receives notice under ORS 135.760 was the result of motions filed on behalf of the inmate, or of a grant by the court of a continuance on motion of the district attorney or on its own motion, for good cause shown; or
“(b) When the inmate is unavailable for trial, other than by imprisonment, or because of other pending criminal proceedings against the inmate.”
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
I agree with the majority that defendant is not foreclosed from raising the question of whether ORS 135.765 required the dismissal of the earlier complaint to be “with prejudice” and therefore bars the present prosecution. However, I do not agree with the majority’s answer to that question.
ORS 135.765 contains no express provision as to whether the dismissals that it requires are to be with prejudice, or without prejudice, or subject to the discretion of the court. The majority concludes that the text and context of the statute are inconclusive, but that the legislative history and earlier case law indicate that a dismissal under the statute must be with prejudice.
I agree with the majority that the word “dismissal,” in itself, can refer to either a temporary or permanent inactivation (or both). In my view, however, the statutory context is far more instructive than the majority regards it to be. ORS 136.130 provides, in relevant part:
“If the court orders the accusatory instrument to be dismissed and the instrument charges a felony or Class A misdemeanor, the order is not a bar to another action for the same crime unless the court so directs.”
In other words, a dismissal of a felony or Class A misdemeanor charge under ORS 136.130 is without prejudice unless the court directs otherwise.
However, the majority does not regard ORS 136.130 to be analogous to ORS 135.765. It explains:
“In State v. Ibkheitan, 115 Or App 415, 419 n 5, 838 P2d 1091 (1992), we noted that ‘[t]he dismissal of subsequent charges pursuant to ORS 136.130 requires that the dismissal of the original charges be pursuant to ORS 136.120,’ citing State v. Carrillo, 311 Or 61, 66, 804 P2d 1161 (1991) (emphasis added). ORS 136.130 is not directly applicable to a prisoner’s right to a speedy trial. Rather, that statute applies specifically to cases that are dismissed because the district attorney is not ready to proceed on the appointed trial date and has not demonstrated to the court ‘any sufficient cause for postponing the trial.’ ORS 136.120.” 163 Or App at 291.
It is correct that ORS 136.130 applies directly only to dismissals that are required by ORS 136.120. However, I do not agree with the majority that ORS 136.120 and ORS
Given the similarities between ORS 136.130 and ORS 135.765, I find it unnecessary to seek additional “contextual” insight in the Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD). I nevertheless note that the majority’s use of the IAD is somewhat perplexing. It dismisses the fact that the IAD dismissal provision expressly uses the term “with prejudice,” while ORS 135.765 does not, because the IAD was the later enacted statute “and it cannot now serve as context for interpreting ORS 135.760 et seq.” 163 Or App at 292. The majority nevertheless reasons that the IAD does provide a basis for concluding that ORS 135.765 should be interpreted, consonantly with the IAD, as implicitly containing the phrase “with prejudice,” because “the IAD is a very similar statute that serves the same purpose as ORS 135.760 et seq.; therefore, it should have the same effect.” Id. (footnote omitted). It would appear that the majority understands “context,” in the PGE sense, to be very much where one chooses to find it.
I do not believe that the case law the majority cites, beginning with State v. Kent, 5 Or App 297, 484 P2d 1109 (1971), and continuing through State v. Easton, 103 Or App 184, 797 P2d 373 (1990), is on point. Those cases stand for the proposition that the state cannot frustrate the process under ORS 135.760 et seq. by unilaterally substituting a new accusatory instrument for the stale one after receiving a speedy trial request. In my view, they do not stand for the proposition that, after that process has culminated in a dismissal
For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE OF OREGON, Respondent, v. TROY WAECHTER, Appellant
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