State v. Newman
Oregon Supreme Court
353 Or. 632 (2013)

- Written by Sara Rhee, JD
Facts
James Robert Newman (defendant) was pulled over by a police officer after he was observed driving erratically. Newman failed a sobriety test and was charged with felony driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). Before trial, Newman sought to introduce evidence that he had a sleepwalking disorder, which he claimed had caused him to sleep drive on the night he was pulled over. Newman argued that such evidence was relevant to whether he voluntarily drove under the influence of intoxicants. The trial court excluded the proffered evidence, ruling that evidence as to voluntariness was irrelevant because DUII was a strict-liability offense. Newman was subsequently convicted of violating the DUII statute. The court of appeals affirmed. Newman appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Baldwin, J.)
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