State v. Werdell

This is a criminal case in which defendant, a practicing lawyer, was convicted after a jury trial in Curry County of one count of hindering prosecution, ORS 162.325. He appealed to the Court of Appeals, arguing (1) that venue for the charge did not lie in Curry County and (2) that in any event the facts did not constitute the offense. The Court of Appeals affirmed. State v. Werdell, 202 Or App 413, 122 P3d 86 (2005). We allowed defendant’s petition for review and now, for the reasons that follow, reverse his conviction.

We state the relevant facts in the light most favorable to the state.…