2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 4, Chapters 131 - 170
ORS Chapter 136
136.434 Challenge to validity of previous conviction.

(1) Except as provided in ORS 813.328, if an accusatory instrument or the written notice described in ORS 136.765 (2) alleges that the defendant has previously been convicted of an offense, the defendant may challenge the validity of the previous conviction by filing a notice of the defendant s intent to do so. The notice must:

(a) Identify the previous conviction that the defendant seeks to challenge;

(b) Specify the factual and legal basis for the challenge; and

(c) Be filed with the court and served on the district attorney within 35 days of the arraignment, or of the defendant s entry of the initial plea on an accusatory instrument, whichever is sooner, unless a different time is permitted by the court for good cause shown.

(2) The validity of the previous conviction shall be determined by the court before trial. At the hearing on the defendant s challenge:

(a) The state has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant previously was convicted of the offense; and

(b) The defendant has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the previous conviction is not valid.

(3) If the court determines that the defendant was not previously convicted of the offense that is the subject of the challenge or that the previous conviction is not valid, the court shall enter an order prior to trial that so provides and excludes evidence of the previous conviction. The state may appeal from the order pursuant to ORS 138.060 (1)(c) or (2)(a).

(4) If the court determines that the defendant previously was convicted of the offense and that the conviction is valid, or if the defendant does not file and serve a notice under subsection (1) of this section, the previous conviction shall be admitted at trial or, if the previous conviction is relevant to an enhancement fact described in ORS 136.770 (4) or 136.773 (1), during the sentencing phase of the proceeding. If the previous conviction is admitted, the defendant may dispute whether the defendant previously was convicted of the alleged offense but may not challenge the validity of the conviction. If the previous conviction is a material element of the charged offense or is an enhancement fact, the state must prove the previous conviction beyond a reasonable doubt unless the defendant stipulates to the fact of the previous conviction in accordance with ORS 136.433.

(5) For purposes of this section, a previous conviction is not valid if:

(a) In the proceedings resulting in the conviction, the defendant was not represented by counsel and was deprived of the right to counsel in violation of the state or federal Constitution and the defendant is entitled under either Constitution to challenge the validity of the prior conviction in the proceeding before the court.

(b) Before the defendant committed the charged offense, the previous conviction was vacated by the court of conviction, reversed or set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction, expunged or pardoned. [2009 c.180 3]