ORS 138.694
Appointed counsel

(1)

A person described in ORS 138.690 (Commencement of DNA testing proceedings) is entitled to counsel during all stages of the proceedings described in ORS 138.692 (Motion for DNA testing), 138.696 (Test results), 138.697 (Appeal of court order) and 138.700 (Entry of unidentified profile into DNA databases).

(2)

A person described in ORS 138.690 (Commencement of DNA testing proceedings) may file a petition in the circuit court in which the judgment of conviction was entered requesting the appointment of counsel at state expense to assist the person in determining whether to file a motion under ORS 138.692 (Motion for DNA testing). The petition must be accompanied by:

(a)

A completed affidavit of eligibility for appointment of counsel at state expense; and

(b)

An affidavit stating that:

(A)

The person meets the criteria in ORS 138.690 (Commencement of DNA testing proceedings);

(B)

The person is innocent of the charge for which the person was convicted; and

(C)

The person is without sufficient funds and assets, as shown by the affidavit required by paragraph (a) of this subsection, to hire an attorney to represent the person in determining whether to file a motion under ORS 138.692 (Motion for DNA testing).

(3)

The court shall grant a petition filed under this section if:

(a)

The petitioner complies with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; and

(b)

It appears to the court that the petitioner is financially unable to employ suitable counsel possessing skills and experience commensurate with the nature and complexity of the matter.

(4)

An attorney appointed under this section:

(a)

If other than counsel provided pursuant to ORS 151.460, is entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 135.055 (Compensation and expenses of appointed counsel); or

(b)

If counsel provided pursuant to ORS 151.460, is entitled to expenses as provided in ORS 135.055 (Compensation and expenses of appointed counsel). [2001 c.697 §4; 2007 c.800 §3; 2015 c.564 §3; 2019 c.368 §5]
Note: See note under 138.688 (Definitions).

Source: Section 138.694 — Appointed counsel, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors138.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

Notes of Decisions

Where defendant filed petition for appointed counsel simultaneously with motion for post-conviction DNA testing under ORS 138.690 and 138.692, defendant’s petition for counsel was timely under this section. State v. Templeton, 275 Or App 69, 364 P3d 6 (2015)

138.005
Definitions for ORS 138.010 to 138.310 138.010
Mode of review 138.015
Statutes applicable to appeals 138.020
Who may appeal 138.030
Parties designated “appellant” and “respondent” 138.035
Appeal by defendant 138.045
Appeal by state 138.052
Appeal from judgment of conviction and sentence of death 138.057
Appeal from judgment involving violation 138.065
Appeal from judgment or order deciding special statutory proceeding 138.071
Time within which appeal must be taken 138.081
Service and filing of notice of appeal 138.085
Content requirements for certain notices of appeal 138.090
Signature to notice of appeal 138.105
Appeal by defendant 138.115
Appeal by state 138.210
Failure to file brief by appellant 138.225
Summary affirmation 138.227
Joint motion to vacate and remand 138.255
Court of Appeals certification of appeal to Supreme Court in lieu of disposition 138.257
Determination on appeal 138.261
Time within which certain appeals must be decided 138.275
Notice to parties concerning modified judgment or order or supplemental judgment 138.285
Order staying execution of sentence 138.295
Stay of judgment or order on appeal by state 138.305
Delivery of defendant under sentence of imprisonment to intake center 138.310
Notice to court below when executive director of Oregon Public Defense Commission certifies costs, expenses or compensation 138.480
Oregon Public Defense Commission to provide representation for prisoner in proceeding before appellate court 138.500
Appointment of counsel and furnishing of transcript for appellant without funds 138.504
Waiver of counsel 138.510
Persons who may file petition for relief 138.520
Relief which court may grant 138.525
Dismissal of meritless petition 138.527
Frivolous petition or response 138.530
When relief must be granted 138.540
Petition for relief as exclusive remedy for challenging conviction 138.550
Availability of relief as affected by prior judicial proceedings 138.560
Procedure upon filing petition for relief 138.570
Who shall be named as defendant 138.580
Petition 138.585
Access to confidential jury records 138.590
Petitioner may proceed as a financially eligible person 138.610
Pleadings 138.615
Disclosure of witness information 138.620
Hearing 138.622
Appearance by communication device 138.625
Victim testimony 138.627
Victim’s rights 138.630
Evidence of events occurring at trial of petitioner 138.640
Judgment 138.650
Appeal 138.660
Summary affirmation of judgment 138.665
Remand for reconsideration of judgment or order 138.670
Admissibility, at new trial, of testimony of witness at first trial 138.680
Short title 138.686
Automatic stay of sentence of death for federal appeal and state post-conviction relief 138.688
Definitions 138.690
Commencement of DNA testing proceedings 138.692
Motion for DNA testing 138.694
Appointed counsel 138.696
Test results 138.697
Appeal of court order 138.698
Effect of setting aside conviction on plea agreement 138.700
Entry of unidentified profile into DNA databases

Current through early 2026

§ 138.694. Appointed counsel's source at oregon​.gov