Stelts v. State of Oregon

The issue is whether one who pleads guilty without knowledge of his constitutional right of confrontation must, in order to obtain post-conviction relief, establish that he would not have pleaded guilty had he been aware of his right. We hold that he does not have to establish such “prejudice.”

In June, 1979, plaintiff pleaded guilty in district court to a charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants. Judgment of conviction was entered on that plea. He took no appeal. In January, 1983, after the time for appeal had expired, he commenced this case under the…