Oregon DUI Diversion Eligibility

Oregon DUI Diversion Eligibility

Many drivers charged with a DUI in Oregon who become aware of Oregon’s DUI Diversion Program ask the question, “Am I eligible for DUI diversion in Oregon?” There are two statues and several appellate cases that discuss DUI diversion eligibility.

The core details for DUI diversion eligibility in Oregon are set out in ORS 813.215:

“Eligibility for diversion programs”

(1) A defendant is eligible for diversion if the defendant meets all of the following conditions:

(a) On the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement, the defendant had no charge, other than the charge for the present offense, pending for:

(A) An offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of:

(i) ORS 813.010; or

(ii) The statutory counterpart to ORS 813.010 in another jurisdiction;

(B) A driving under the influence of intoxicants offense in another jurisdiction that involved the impaired driving of a vehicle due to the use of intoxicating liquor, a controlled substance, an inhalant or any combination thereof; or

(C) A driving offense in another jurisdiction that involved operating a vehicle while having a blood alcohol content above that jurisdiction’s permissible blood alcohol content.

(b) The defendant has not been convicted of an offense described in paragraph (a) of this subsection within the period beginning 15 years before the date of the commission of the present offense and ending on the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement.

(c) The defendant has not been convicted of a felony offense described in ORS 813.010 (5)(a).

(d) The defendant was not participating in a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion program or in any similar alcohol or drug rehabilitation program in this state or in another jurisdiction on the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement. A defendant is not ineligible for diversion under this paragraph by reason of participation in a diversion program or any similar alcohol or drug rehabilitation program as a result of the charge for the present offense, a charge for violation of ORS 471.430 or a charge for violation of ORS 475.864(3).

(e) The defendant did not participate in a diversion or rehabilitation program described in paragraph (d) of this subsection within the period beginning 15 years before the date of the commission of the present offense and ending on the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement. A defendant is not ineligible for diversion under this paragraph by reason of participation in a diversion program or rehabilitation program described in paragraph (d) of this subsection as a result of the charge for the present offense, a charge for violation of ORS 471.430 or a charge for violation of ORS 475.864(3).

(f) The defendant had no charge of an offense of aggravated vehicular homicide or of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide or assault that resulted from the operation of a motor vehicle pending in this state or in another jurisdiction on the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement.

(g) The defendant has not been convicted of an offense described in paragraph (f) of this subsection within the period beginning 15 years before the date of the commission of the present offense and ending on the date the defendant filed the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement.

(h) The defendant did not hold commercial driving privileges on the date of the commission of the offense.

(i) The defendant was not operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the offense.

(j) The present driving while under the influence of intoxicants offense did not involve an accident resulting in:

(A) Death of any person; or

(B) Physical injury as defined in ORS 161.015 to any person other than the defendant.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) of this section, a conviction for a driving offense in another jurisdiction based solely on a person under 21 years of age having a blood alcohol content that is lower than the permissible blood alcohol content in that jurisdiction for a person 21 years of age or older does not constitute a prior conviction.

(3) A defendant is eligible for a second or subsequent diversion if the defendant meets all of the conditions of subsection (1) of this section and the defendant has not been convicted of any other criminal offense involving a motor vehicle within the period beginning 15 years before the date of the commission of the present offense and ending on the date the defendant filed the petition for the second or subsequent driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement.

ORS 813.220 continues with an additional information about diversion eligibility:

“Factors for consideration by Court (in determination of DUI diversion eligibility)”

After the time for requesting a hearing under ORS 813.210 has expired with no request for a hearing, or after a hearing requested under ORS 813.210, the court shall determine whether to allow or deny a petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement. In making a determination under this section, the court:

(1) Shall consider whether the diversion will be of benefit to the defendant and the community.

(2) May take into consideration whether there was an early recognition by the defendant during the proceeding that a course of diagnosis and treatment of problem drinking, alcoholism or drug dependency would be beneficial.

(3) May take into consideration whether there is a probability that the defendant will cooperate with the diagnostic assessment and treatment agencies.

(4) May take into consideration whether the defendant will observe the restrictions contained in the diversion agreement.

(5) May take into consideration whether the offense was committed in a motor vehicle and whether there was a passenger in the motor vehicle who was under 18 years of age and at least three years younger than the defendant.

(6) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant failed to appear at an arraignment on the present offense without good cause.

(7) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if, after the date the defendant filed the petition, the defendant was charged with or convicted of:

(a) An offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of:

(A) ORS 813.010; or

(B) The statutory counterpart to ORS 813.010 in another jurisdiction;

(b) A driving under the influence of intoxicants offense in another jurisdiction that involved the impaired driving of a vehicle due to the use of intoxicating liquor, a controlled substance, an inhalant or any combination thereof; or

(c) A driving offense in another jurisdiction that involved operating a vehicle while having a blood alcohol content above that jurisdiction’s permissible blood alcohol content.

(8) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant participated in a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion program or in any similar alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, other than a program entered into as a result of the charge for the present offense, in this state or in another jurisdiction after the date the defendant filed the petition.

(9) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant was charged with or convicted of an offense of aggravated vehicular homicide or of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide or assault that resulted from the operation of a motor vehicle in this state or in another jurisdiction after the date the defendant filed the petition.

(10) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant has been convicted of a felony offense described in ORS 813.010 (5)(a).

(11) For the purposes of subsection (7) of this section, may not consider a conviction for a driving offense in another jurisdiction based solely on a person under 21 years of age having a blood alcohol content that is lower than the permissible blood alcohol content in that jurisdiction for a person 21 years of age or older as a prior conviction.

(12) May not deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement solely on the basis that the defendant is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard and has been called or demonstrates that the defendant will be called to active duty, and the military service will impair the defendant’s ability to complete the diversion program.

Prior DUI Diversion

Participation in a prior Oregon DUI diversion or rehabilitation program within the last 15 years will make a driver ineligible for diversion. ORS 813.215(1)(e)

Prior DUI Conviction

A prior Oregon DUI conviction within the last 15 years will make a driver ineligible for diversion, as will a conviction is a statutory equivalent or statutory counterpart in another jurisdiction. ORS 813.215(1)(g)

Prior Participation in a Drug or Alcohol Treatment Program Similar to Oregon’s DUI Diversion Program

As mentioned above, participation in a prior rehabilitation program within the last 15 years will make a driver ineligible for diversion. ORS 813.215(1)(e). Oregon case law has unfortunately defined “rehabilitation programs” very broadly. Some examples would be as follows:

  • State v. Dunbrasky, 122 Or.App. 90 (1993)
  • State v. Bentley, 239 Or.App. 18 (2010)
  • State v. Wright, 204 Or.App. 724 (2006)
  • State v. LaGrassa, 235 Or.App. 150 (2010)
  • State v. Tuter, 259 Or.App. 338 (2013)
  • State v. Parker, 235 Or.App. 40 (2010)
  • State v. Barnes, 92 Or.App. 355 (1988)

DUI Diversion Ineligibility Due to CDL

ORS 801.207

ORS 807.018

ORS 813.215(1)(h)

State v. Orueta, 343 Or. 118 (2007)

State v. Crisafi, 271 Or.App. 267 (2015)

DUI Diversion Ineligibility Due to Physical Injury

The present driving while under the influence of intoxicants offense did not involve an accident resulting in: death of any person; or physical injury as defined in ORS 161.015(7) to any person other than the defendant. ORS 813.215(1)(j)

 

DUI Diversion Ineligibility On Discretionary Grounds

In additional to the specific DUI diversion exclusions, there are discretionary ground upon which the local District Attorney’s office or local court could object to a driver’s DUI diversion eligibility. These grounds are set out in ORS 813.220. In making a determination of DUI diversion eligibility, the Court:

(1) Shall consider whether the diversion will be of benefit to the defendant and the community.

(2) May take into consideration whether there was an early recognition by the defendant during the proceeding that a course of diagnosis and treatment of problem drinking, alcoholism or drug dependency would be beneficial.

(3) May take into consideration whether there is a probability that the defendant will cooperate with the diagnostic assessment and treatment agencies.

(4) May take into consideration whether the defendant will observe the restrictions contained in the diversion agreement.

(5) May take into consideration whether the offense was committed in a motor vehicle and whether there was a passenger in the motor vehicle who was under 18 years of age and at least three years younger than the defendant.

(6) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant failed to appear at an arraignment on the present offense without good cause.

(7) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if, after the date the defendant filed the petition, the defendant was charged with or convicted of:

(a) An offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of:

(A) ORS 813.010 (DUI); or

(B) The statutory counterpart to ORS 813.010 (DUI) in another jurisdiction;

(b) A driving under the influence of intoxicants offense in another jurisdiction that involved the impaired driving of a vehicle due to the use of intoxicating liquor, a controlled substance, an inhalant or any combination thereof; or

(c) A driving offense in another jurisdiction that involved operating a vehicle while having a blood alcohol content above that jurisdictions permissible blood alcohol content.

(8) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant participated in a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion program or in any similar alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, other than a program entered into as a result of the charge for the present offense, in this state or in another jurisdiction after the date the defendant filed the petition.

(9) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant was charged with or convicted of an offense of aggravated vehicular homicide or of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide or assault that resulted from the operation of a motor vehicle in this state or in another jurisdiction after the date the defendant filed the petition.

(10) Shall deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement if the defendant has been convicted of a felony offense described in ORS 813.010 (Driving under the influence of intoxicants) (5)(a).

(11) For the purposes of subsection (7) of this section, may not consider a conviction for a driving offense in another jurisdiction based solely on a person under 21 years of age having a blood alcohol content that is lower than the permissible blood alcohol content in that jurisdiction for a person 21 years of age or older as a prior conviction.

(12) May not deny the petition for a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement solely on the basis that the defendant is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard and has been called or demonstrates that the defendant will be called to active duty, and the military service will impair the defendants ability to complete the diversion program.

“Am I Diversion Eligible for my DUI in Oregon?”

Although the information above may be helpful in determining DUI diversion eligibility in Oregon, the issue can sometimes be complicated by many factors. An Oregon DUI attorney can help you to determine eligibility, and if the prosecution or court object to your entry into diversion, and attorney may be able to argue that you are eligible and get you into the program.

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