State ex rel. Juvenile Department v. C. N. W.

At the age of 16, youth was committed to the legal custody of the Oregon Youth Authority under two court orders, each committing him for a period of five years, to be served consecutively or until his twenty-fifth birthday, whichever came first. On appeal, he argues — and the state concedes — that the juvenile court did not follow the mandate of ORS 4190.478(1):

“In any order issued under this section, the court shall include written findings describing why it is in the best interests of the youth offender to be placed with the youth authority or the department.”

The state argues that, because…