State v. Hovies

In this traffic infraction case, the issue is whether the district court committed reversible error when it denied defendant the opportunity to cross-examine the only witness against him, an Oregon State Police Trooper. We conclude that it did.

On June 19, 1993, defendant received a traffic citation from Trooper Sheets for having an obstructed license plate and obstructed windows. Defendant chose to appear personally with respect to the charges. See ORS 153.540 (providing procedure).1 Defendant pleaded guilty to the obstructed license plate charge; he contested the obstructed window charge.

Defe…