Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
STATE of Oregon, Respondent, v. Robert Joe GONZALEZ, aka Bobby Joe Gonzalez, Appellant.
After a trial to the court, defendant was convicted of supplying contraband. ORS 162.185. Defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by concluding that he voluntarily introduced contraband into the Umatilla County Jail when, while in possession of methamphetamine, police took him there after arresting him. Defendant is correct that his mere possession of drugs when he was taken by police to a correctional facility is not legally sufficient to prove that he voluntarily introduced contraband into that facility. See State v. Tippetts, 180 Or.App. 350, 43 P.3d 455 (2002). That is so even if, as the state argues, defendant's arrest and the discovery of the drugs were “readily foreseeable consequences” of his prearrest conduct. State v. Delaney, 187 Or.App. 717, 718, 71 P.3d 93 (2003).
The only remaining question is the proper disposition. Defendant did not move for a judgment of acquittal. Rather, at the end of the state's case, in his closing argument to the court, defendant argued that the state had not adduced legally sufficient evidence of a voluntary act, which is required to establish criminal culpability. See ORS 161.095(1). That argument is the equivalent of a motion for judgment of acquittal. See State v. Hamilton, 186 Or.App. 729, 731 n. 2, 64 P.3d 1215 (2003).1 Accordingly, we reverse defendant's conviction for supplying contraband and remand for resentencing.
Judgment on Count 2 reversed and remanded for resentencing; otherwise affirmed.
FOOTNOTES
1. But see State v. Schodrow, 187 Or.App. 224, 231-32, 66 P.3d 547 (2003) (reversing and remanding for new trial where trial court did not decide material element and there was proof sufficient to withstand a motion for judgment of acquittal); State v. Andrews, 174 Or.App. 354, 366, 27 P.3d 137 (2001) (same).
PER CURIAM.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: CF010351; A115416.
Decided: June 26, 2003
Court: Court of Appeals of Oregon.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)