ORS 136.427 Confessions; corroboration not required; notice; hearing

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

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

The defendant is charged with a crime listed in ORS 163A.005;

The victim of the crime is a vulnerable person;

The victim is incompetent to testify under ORS 40.310;

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

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

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:

Whether there is evidence demonstrating the truthfulness of portions of the confession;

Whether the defendant had the opportunity to commit the crime;

The method of interrogation used to solicit the confession; and

Whether the defendant is a vulnerable person.

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.

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.

As used in this section:

“Activities of daily living” includes dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, exercising appropriate personal hygiene practices and moving from place to place.

“Vulnerable person” means:

A person under 18 years of age;

A person 65 years of age or older;

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;

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

A person who, as the result of a diagnosed medical condition, requires assistance in two or more activities of daily living.