ORS 136.425
Confessions and admissions

  • corroboration
  • defendant’s conduct in relation to declaration or act of another

(1)

A confession or admission of a defendant, whether in the course of judicial proceedings or otherwise, cannot be given in evidence against the defendant when it was made under the influence of fear produced by threats.

(2)

Except as provided in ORS 136.427 (Confessions), a confession alone is not sufficient to warrant the conviction of the defendant without some other proof that the crime has been committed.

(3)

Evidence of a defendant’s conduct in relation to a declaration or act of another, in the presence and within the observation of the defendant, cannot be given when the defendant’s conduct occurred while the defendant was in the custody of a peace officer unless the defendant’s conduct affirmatively indicated the belief of the defendant in the truth of the matter stated or implied in the declaration or act of the other person. [Formerly 136.540; 2009 c.875 §1]

Source: Section 136.425 — Confessions and admissions; corroboration; defendant’s conduct in relation to declaration or act of another, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors136.­html.

See also annotations under ORS 136.540 in permanent edition.

Notes of Decisions

In general

While the Miranda warning given at the beginning of the interrogation was incomplete in that it did not inform the defendant that a lawyer would be provided for him if he were without funds, he had been given two complete warnings within a relatively short time of the interrogation so that repeated warnings, while desirable, were not absolutely necessary. State v. Garrison, 16 Or App 588, 519 P2d 1295 (1974), Sup Ct review denied

Substance, rather than form, is the controlling element as to question whether the Miranda warnings were correctly given. State v. Bopp, 16 Or App 604, 519 P2d 1277 (1974)

In laying the foundation for introduction of a confession, the state may not offer evidence of the fact, results or details of a previous polygraph examination; but if, when the confession is offered in evidence, the defendant objects on grounds that it was not voluntary because of a preceding polygraph examination, the state may then offer in evidence both the fact that the examination was given and such details thereof, including evidence which may reveal the results thereof, which may be relevant to voluntariness of the confession. State v. Green, 271 Or 153, 531 P2d 245 (1975)

“Confession” for purpose of this section is statement made after commission of alleged crime for purpose of acknowledging that speaker is guilty of some criminal offense. State v. Manzella, 306 Or 303, 759 P2d 1078 (1988)

Admissibility

Volunteered statements not the result of any questioning or inducement are admissible. State v. Myers, 6 Or App 219, 487 P2d 663 (1971)

When the undisputed evidence is that a person of normal intelligence and understanding admits receiving and understanding the requisite advice and concedes that all statements made thereafter were completely voluntary, those statements are admissible. State v. Myers, 6 Or App 219, 487 P2d 663 (1971)

Custodial interrogation is not limited to questioning within the confines of the police station. State v. Myers, 6 Or App 219, 487 P2d 663 (1971)

A confession is not rendered inadmissible because given after a polygraph examination, if it is shown to have been given freely and voluntarily; but the examination may be administered in a manner constituting physical or psychological coercion, thereby rendering the confession involuntary. State v. Green, 271 Or 153, 531 P2d 245 (1975); State v. Clifton, 271 Or 177, 531 P2d 256 (1975)

Incriminating admissions, made by defendant to examiner during pretest interview prior to polygraph examination, were inadmissible where court order granting polygraph examination stipulated that results would be provided only to defense counsel and defendant reasonably believed that statements made during such examination would be secret and would be disclosed only to his attorneys. State v. Thompson, 30 Or App 379, 567 P2d 132 (1977), Sup Ct review denied

Where defendant confessed after officer explained he could either take defendant into custody or issue citation, but before officer suggested charge may be reduced to misdemeanor, confession was not coerced or given in exchange for promise of leniency. State v. Landers, 101 Or App 293, 790 P2d 1161 (1990), Sup Ct review denied

Where defendant’s confessions of prior crimes were highly relevant to jury’s consideration of questions under ORS 163.150, confessions, even if uncorroborated, were properly admitted during penalty phase of trial. State v. Montez, 309 Or 564, 789 P2d 1352 (1990)

If promise of leniency does not relate to charge that is subject of defendant’s response, voluntariness of response depends on whether defendant understood and reasonably relied on promise. State v. Goree, 151 Or App 621, 950 P2d 919 (1997), Sup Ct review denied

Limitation on evidence of confession applies to confession induced by promise of leniency. State v. Powell, 242 Or App 645, 256 P3d 185 (2011), aff’d 352 Or 210, 282 P3d 845 (2012)

Preliminary determination of admissibility

Violation of statutes concerning handling of juveniles and presence or absence of their parents are not determinative, but are factors to be considered, in determining whether juvenile’s confession is voluntary. State v. Raiford, 7 Or App 202, 490 P2d 206 (1971), Sup Ct review denied

Evidence relevant to voluntariness of confession should be heard by court in absence of the jury. State v. Blackford, 16 Or App 217, 517 P2d 1196 (1974)

The defendant’s answers given during the custodial interrogation without the Miranda warning were not admissible. State v. Gill, 24 Or App 541, 546 P2d 786 (1976)

Where defendant made both equivocal and affirmative statements in reference to videotape relating events of alleged crime and only equivocal statements were made in response to particular statements on videotape, trial court properly ruled videotape and defendants responses to it inadmissible under this section. State v. Haynes, 49 Or App 89, 619 P2d 889 (1980)

Involuntary confessions

Although the defendant was removed in place from his original interrogation and Miranda warnings were then given by officers who lacked knowledge of defendant’s previously denied request for an attorney, a time interval of only six hours between his original incriminating remarks and the questioning by the officers was insufficient to dissipate the effect of the tainted admissions made during the original interrogation. State v. Garrison, 16 Or App 588, 519 P2d 1295 (1974), Sup Ct review denied

Once the request for an attorney is made it is the duty of the officer to immediately discontinue the questioning, and continued questioning by the officer is in violation of the Miranda exclusionary rule so that statements made thereafter must be suppressed. State v. Garrison, 16 Or App 588, 519 P2d 1295 (1974), Sup Ct review denied

Prohibition against introduction of involuntary confession applies to confession induced by private party. State v. Powell, 242 Or App 645, 256 P3d 185 (2011), aff’d 352 Or 210, 282 P3d 845 (2012)

Defendant’s confession was involuntary when it followed officer’s ultimatum that, unless defendant confessed, defendant would go to jail and might be unable to recover defendant’s car. State v. Center, 314 Or App 813, 499 P3d 63 (2021)

Confessions not involuntary

Officers did not coerce defendant’s turning over contraband to them nor his incriminating statement where officers threatened what would have been an authorized arrest of his companion and defendant chose to show them the contraband in the hope or belief that they would not arrest the companion. State v. Bopp, 16 Or App 604, 519 P2d 1277 (1974)

Administration of a polygraph examination did not render a later confession involuntary. State v. Clifton, 271 Or 177, 531 P2d 256 (1975)

The officer’s statements to defendant could be distilled into a mere admonition to tell the truth and did not constitute coercion. State v. Rollwage, 21 Or App 48, 533 P2d 831 (1975)

Where police officers’ comments about releasing defendant into hostile environment and references to threats to defendant by parties to crime or by members of the community were isolated comments during lengthy investigation, defendant’s statements were not coerced. State v. Foster, 303 Or 518, 739 P2d 1032 (1987)

Where confession to a crime is elicited by promise of immunity with respect to other crimes, confession is not considered involuntary as matter of law. State v. Aguilar, 133 Or App 304, 891 P2d 668 (1995)

Declaration or act of another

This section clearly requires the exclusion of evidence of an accusation by an accomplice made in the presence of police and the defendant where the defendant simply stands silent when the accusation is made. State v. Van Hooser, 11 Or App 146, 501 P2d 78 (1972), aff’d 266 Or 19, 511 P2d 359 (1973)

Corroboration

Corroboration of confession need only establish occurrence of crime, not that crime was committed by defendant. State v. Shoemaker, 8 Or App 402, 495 P2d 43 (1972)

Circumstances that defendant was intoxicated, that defendant’s automobile had flat tire, and that tracks of vehicle in snow indicated that vehicle had proceeded from public highway onto private lawn, were sufficient corroboration to permit admission of defendant’s statement that he had driven vehicle onto lawn. State v. Smith, 31 Or App 321, 570 P2d 409 (1977)

State failed to corroborate confession of attempted arson with evidence showing that on day following attempted arson house in question burned; evidence of second day’s burning would tend to prove defendant engaged in continuing course of conduct, but it did not provide independent corroborative evidence of alleged attempted arson of previous day. State v. Swearengin, 32 Or App 349, 573 P2d 362 (1978)

In prosecution for driving under influence of intoxicants, where defendant admitted he had been driving, fact that he was registered owner of truck and that he raised no objection to officer’s assumption that he was driver constituted sufficient circumstantial corroboration of his admissions. State v. Campbell, 44 Or App 3, 604 P2d 1266 (1980), Sup Ct review denied

“Some proof” means that there is enough evidence from which jury may draw inference that tends to establish or prove that a crime has been committed. State v. Lerch, 296 Or 377, 677 P2d 678 (1984); State v. Anderson, 103 Or App 436, 797 P2d 1072 (1990), Sup Ct review denied; State v. Hessel, 117 Or App 113, 844 P2d 209 (1992), Sup Ct review denied; State ex rel Juv. Dept. v. Taylor, 119 Or App 276, 850 P2d 390 (1993), Sup Ct review denied

Defendant’s unexplained possession of large amount of money soon after killing is sufficient circumstantial evidence under this section to corroborate confession of murder for hire. State v. Oslund, 71 Or App 701, 693 P2d 1354 (1984), Sup Ct review denied

Where defendant volunteered information about automobile accident, stated that he had been driving and that he was driving in violation of restrictions placed on his driver license, provided his driver license number, made statement about cause of accident and statements regarding restrictions on license, such evidence, in prosecution for driving while suspended, was “some proof” other than defendant’s confession which corroborated confession that he had been driving. State v. Manzella, 88 Or App 258, 744 P2d 1321 (1987), aff’d 306 Or 303, 759 P2d 1078 (1988)

This section does not require corroboration of defendant’s admissions or other statements that do not constitute confessions. State v. Manzella, 306 Or 303, 759 P2d 1078 (1988)

“Other proof” that crime has been committed must be sufficient to permit reasonable inference that specific crime to which defendant confessed actually occurred. State v. Fry, 180 Or App 237, 42 P3d 369 (2002)

Where apology to victim was written while in police custody, immediately after confession and at urging of police, apology was for purpose of acknowledging guilt and therefore not independent corroboration of confession. State v. Muzzy, 190 Or App 306, 79 P3d 324 (2003), Sup Ct review denied

Evidence independent of confession must tend to prove: 1) injury or harm specified in crime occurred; and 2) injury or harm was caused by someone’s criminal activity. State v. Simons, 214 Or App 675, 167 P3d 476 (2007), Sup Ct review denied; State v. Delp, 218 Or App 17, 178 P3d 259 (2008), Sup Ct review denied

Where defendant confesses to second degree burglary, evidence of unlawful entry into building is insufficient to corroborate confession. State v. Chatelain, 220 Or App 487, 188 P3d 325 (2008), aff’d 347 Or 278, 220 P3d 41 (2009)

Defendant’s repetition of confession is not “some other proof” that crime has been committed. State v. Kelley, 239 Or App 266, 243 P3d 1195 (2010), Sup Ct review denied

Requirement for corroboration of confession applies to confession induced by private party. State v. Powell, 242 Or App 645, 256 P3d 185 (2011), aff’d 352 Or 210, 282 P3d 845 (2012)

COMPLETED CITATIONS: State v. Washington, 5 Or App 347, 483 P2d 465 (1971), Sup Ct review denied; State v. Gairson, 5 Or App 464, 484 P2d 854 (1971), Sup Ct review denied; State v. Patterson, 5 Or App 438, 485 P2d 429 (1971), Sup Ct review denied; State v. Brewton, 238 Or 590, 395 P2d 874 (1974); distinguished in State v. Green, 271 Or 153, 531 P2d 245 (1975)

136.001
Right to jury trial
136.005
Challenge to jury panel
136.010
When issue of fact arises
136.030
How issues are tried
136.040
When presence of defendant is necessary
136.050
Reasonable doubt as to degree of crime committed by defendant
136.060
Jointly charged defendants to be tried jointly
136.070
Postponement of trial
136.080
Deposition of witness as condition of postponement
136.090
Procedure for taking deposition
136.100
Filing and use of deposition
136.110
Commitment of defendant after release
136.120
Dismissal when prosecutor unready for trial
136.145
Setting of court dates when presence of victim required
136.210
Jury number
136.220
Challenge for implied bias
136.230
Peremptory challenges
136.240
Challenge of accepted juror
136.250
Taking of challenges
136.260
Selection of alternate jurors
136.270
Oath, conduct and attendance of alternate jurors at trial
136.280
Substitution of alternate for discharged juror
136.285
Priority in trial schedule for defendants in custody
136.290
Limit on custody of defendant prior to trial
136.295
Application of ORS 136.290
136.300
Time limit on appeals to circuit court
136.310
Function of court
136.320
Function of jury
136.325
Jury not to be informed of and not to consider punishment that may be imposed
136.330
Trial procedure
136.345
When attendance of woman officer is required
136.347
Appointment, duties and compensation of woman officer
136.415
Presumption of innocence
136.420
Testimony to be given orally in court
136.425
Confessions and admissions
136.427
Confessions
136.430
Civil laws of evidence in criminal trials
136.432
Limitation on court’s authority to exclude relevant evidence
136.433
Proving previous conviction
136.434
Challenge to validity of previous conviction
136.435
Admissibility of evidence from felony defendant not informed as required under ORS 135.070
136.437
Use of evidence in prosecution of prostitution offense
136.440
Testimony of accomplice
136.445
Motion for acquittal
136.447
Medical records
136.450
Number of jurors required for verdict
136.455
General verdict on plea of not guilty
136.460
Verdict where crime consists of degrees
136.465
Verdict where crime or attempt included within charge
136.470
Conviction or acquittal of one or more of several defendants
136.475
Verdict as to some of several defendants
136.480
Reconsideration of verdict when jury makes mistake as to law
136.485
Reconsideration of verdict which is not general verdict
136.490
Discharge of defendant upon acquittal
136.495
Proceedings after adverse general verdict
136.500
Motion in arrest of judgment
136.505
Effect of allowance of motion
136.515
Order when evidence shows guilt
136.525
Order when evidence is insufficient
136.535
New trial
136.555
Subpoena defined
136.557
Issuance of subpoena by magistrate for witnesses at preliminary examination
136.563
Issuance of subpoena by district attorney for witnesses before grand jury
136.565
Issuance of subpoena by district attorney for witnesses at trial
136.567
Issuance of subpoena for witnesses for defendant
136.570
Application for subpoenas for more than 10 witnesses
136.575
Forms of subpoenas
136.580
Subpoenas when books, papers or documents are required
136.583
Seizure or production of papers, documents or records from recipient
136.585
By whom subpoena is served
136.595
How subpoena is served
136.600
Certain civil procedures applicable in criminal context
136.602
Witness fees payable by county
136.603
Payment of witness who is from outside state or is indigent
136.608
Application procedure
136.611
Court action upon receipt of application
136.612
Hearing
136.614
Witness held in detention facility
136.616
Deposition to perpetuate testimony
136.617
Motion to compel witness who may be incriminated to testify
136.619
Immunity of witness compelled to testify
136.623
Definitions
136.625
Where witness material to proceeding in another state is in this state
136.627
Where witness material to proceeding in this state is in another state
136.633
Immunity of witness from arrest or service of process
136.635
Construction of ORS 136.623 to 136.637
136.637
Short title
136.643
Defendant as witness
136.645
Codefendant as witness
136.655
Spouse as witness
136.675
Conditions for use of testimony of persons subjected to hypnosis
136.685
Required explanations by law enforcement personnel to hypnosis subject
136.695
Evidence obtained in violation of ORS 136.675 or 136.685 inadmissible
136.760
Definitions for ORS 136.765 to 136.785
136.765
Notice to defendant
136.770
Enhancement fact related to offense
136.773
Enhancement fact related to defendant
136.776
Effect of waiver of right to jury trial
136.780
Evidence
136.785
Burden of proof
136.790
Notice to defendant upon remand
136.792
Jury upon remand
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