Oregon Statutes 137.221 – Vacation of judgment of conviction for prostitution
(1) Notwithstanding ORS § 138.540, a court may vacate a judgment of conviction for the crime of prostitution under ORS § 167.007 or for violating a municipal prostitution ordinance as described in this section.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 137.221
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(2)(a) A person may request vacation of a judgment of conviction for prostitution by filing a motion in the county of conviction. The motion may be filed at least 21 days after the judgment of conviction is entered.
(b) A copy of the motion shall be served on the district attorney.
(c) The motion must contain an explanation of facts supporting a claim that the person was the victim of sex trafficking at or around the time of the conduct giving rise to the prostitution conviction. The motion must further contain an explanation of why those facts were not presented to the trial court.
(3) Upon receiving the motion described in subsection (2) of this section, the court shall hold a hearing. At the hearing, the person has the burden of proof and may present evidence that, at or around the time of the conduct giving rise to the prostitution conviction, the person was the victim of sex trafficking. The court shall consider any evidence the court deems of sufficient credibility and probative value in determining whether the person was a victim of sex trafficking. The evidence may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Certified records of a state or federal court proceeding demonstrating that the person was a victim of sex trafficking;
(b) Certified records from federal immigration proceedings recognizing the person as a victim of sex trafficking; and
(c) A sworn statement from a trained professional staff member of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy or a medical or other professional, certifying that the person has sought assistance addressing trauma associated with being a sex trafficking victim.
(4) If the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the person was the victim of sex trafficking at or around the time of the conduct giving rise to the prostitution conviction, the court shall grant the motion.
(5) If the court grants a motion under this section, the court shall vacate the judgment of conviction for prostitution and may make other orders as the court considers appropriate.
(6) If the court grants a motion under this section while an appeal of the judgment of conviction is pending, the court shall immediately forward a copy of the vacation order to the appellate court.
(7) As used in this section:
(a) ‘Municipal prostitution ordinance’ means a municipal ordinance prohibiting a person from engaging in, or offering or agreeing to engage in, sexual conduct or sexual contact in return for a fee.
(b) ‘Sex trafficking’ means the use of force, intimidation, fraud or coercion to cause a person to engage, or attempt to engage, in a commercial sex act. [2017 c.245 § 1; 2018 c.120 § 7]
137.221 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 137 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.