Court Opinion

ID: 9790265
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 01:49:47.693352+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:47:13.593293
License: Public Domain

RICHARDSON, P. J.,
specially concurring.
Although I agree with the conclusion that the judgment should be affirmed, I do not agree with the implication in the lead opinion that the statement in the plea petition, standing alone, is sufficient to authorize restitution for the two offenses to which defendant did not plead guilty.
Restitution is authorized by statute, ORS 137.106(1), for victims of defendant’s criminal activities. Liability for restitution is authorized for "any offense with respect to which the defendant is convicted or any other criminal conduct admitted by the defendant.” ORS 137.103(1). Consequently, if defendant is not convicted of an offense after trial or a plea of guilty, restitution is authorized only if he admits the conduct for which restitution is sought.
In State v. Armstrong, 44 Or App 219, 605 P2d 736, rev den 289 Or 45 (1980), defendant was charged with two separate thefts. As a result of plea negotiations, he pleaded guilty to one charge and the other was dismissed. Although he agreed, in the plea negotiations, to make restitution to the . victims of both thefts, he specifically denied committing the charge which was dismissed. The trial court ordered restitution for the victims of both offenses. We reversed, noting the defendant had not admitted the second theft. We said: "* * * a defendant cannot be ordered to pay restitution to a victim when the question of whether he committed the criminal activities remains unresolved.” 44 Or App at 222. Resolution of that question is for the trial court. It is essentially a question of fact whether defendant has admitted the crime for which restitution is sought. For purposes of determining a basis for restitution, the admission of a defendant is essentially the same as a plea of guilty that would support a conviction, but a judgment of *540conviction is not entered because of a plea bargain. Because such an admission can result in liability for substantial sums of money,1 defendant’s responsibility for the criminal activities ought to be firmly established. The determination of whether defendant admits other criminal activities should be made with essentially the same formalities that surround a plea of guilty to an offense.
The state argues, and the lead opinion agrees, that the statement in the plea petition is an admission sufficient to authorize restitution for victims of the two charges which were dismissed. The plea petition, written on a printed form, contained the following statement:
"I know * * * the District Attorney shall make no recommendations to the Courts concerning my sentence except as follows: Restitution if any for admitted complicity in all 3 counts. ” (Emphasis added.)
The emphasized portion of the quotation was handwritten, the balance was part of the preprinted form. This statement is ambiguous respecting whether defendant was admitting he had committed the criminal activities alleged in Counts II and III of the indictment. The statement could be read as defendant’s understanding of the plea negotiation that the state would recommend restitution if he admitted complicity in all three counts of the indictment. He in fact admitted, by his plea of guilty, complicity in only Count I.2 The statement is also susceptible to the reading adopted by the lead opinion. Faced with this ambiguity, the trial court should have determined if defendant was in fact admitting guilt of the charges reflected in Counts II and Ht. The statement in the plea petition is not a sufficient "plea of guilty” to support a conviction for Count I and is not sufficient to support a conclusion that defendant admits guilt for Counts II and HI.
Despite my disagreement that the statement is an admission, I agree that the judgment should be affirmed. Defendant was represented by experienced counsel, who also represented him on appeal. The plea petition was *541prepared with the assistance of and signed by defendant’s counsel. During the sentencing hearing defendant’s counsel stated: "Yes, Your Honor. On this there was a plea to one count but the presentence works as if they were finding him guilty on all counts, * * *.” There was no other statement by defendant or his counsel respecting the question whether he was admitting complicity in all three counts of the indictment. After the court pronounced sentence and orally ordered restitution for the victims of the crimes alleged in Counts II and El, the court inquired of defendant if he had any further statements. Defendant stated he did not, and his attorney made no further comments. Having presented the ambiguous statement in the plea petition to the court and having heard the court order restitution, it was incumbent upon defendant or his counsel to advance the arguments against restitution he makes for the first time on appeal. I conclude defendant has waived any contention that he did not admit the criminal activities alleged in Counts n and in of the indictment.
I agree with the lead opinion that defendant has waived any challenge to the amount of restitution ordered by failing to object in the trial court.

The total restitution ordered in this case was $3,555.59.

 The record contains only a transcript of the sentencing hearing. The record indicates defendant had pleaded guilty to Count I in a previous proceeding and a presentence report had been ordered.