Oregon Supreme Court

Opinions Filed in June 2021

Allianz Global Risks v. ACE Property & Casualty Ins. Co.

"The existence of side agreements, indemnification promises, or an insured's waiver of policy terms is simply irrelevant to the contribution rights set out in the OECAA. Under that statute, as under our coverage cases, see Ledford v. Gutoski, 319 Ore. 397, 399-400, 877 P2d 80 (1994), whether an insurance company has a 'duty to defend or indemnify' its insured depends on two documents: the insurance policy and the complaint."

Area(s) of Law:
  • Business Law

Strasser v. State of Oregon

Under ORS 138.500(1) and ORS 138.500(2)(b), a written request by a criminal defendant for appellate counsel regarding a judgment that they wish to appeal shall be appointed counsel, and the Court of Appeals has concurrent authority once a notice of appeal is filed. ORS 138.550(2) provides that “petitioner for post-conviction relief may assert ground for relief that could reasonably have been asserted in a direct appeal if petitioner was unrepresented on appeal due to lack of funds to retain counsel and failure of the court to appoint counsel.” 

Area(s) of Law:
  • Criminal Procedure

Collins v. Yellen

The restriction of the President’s authority to remove the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency violates the separation of powers principle.

Area(s) of Law:
  • Constitutional Law

State v. Prouty

Under State v. Newton, 286 Or App 274 (2017), a person may be seized when the totality of the circumstances “transform[s] the encounter into a seizure, even if the circumstances, individually, would not create a seizure.”

Area(s) of Law:
  • Criminal Procedure

State v. Keys

In Huffman v. Alexander, 197 Or. 283, (1952), the court explained that “It follows from the express language of the [Oregon] constitutional provision and from the authorities cited that unless a defendant validly waives indictment, he cannot be tried upon information filed by the district attorney. A judgment rendered upon an information without waiver of indictment would be void.”

Area(s) of Law:
  • Appellate Procedure

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