Fisher v. Wright

¶1In this post-conviction proceeding, petitioner challenges his convictions on three counts entered after he pled guilty. He appeals the dismissal of his petition. We vacate the judgment and remand to the post-conviction court.

¶2Petitioner contends that his trial counsel failed to inform him of the possibility of a minimum sentence before he entered his guilty plea.1 If he did not otherwise have knowledge of the possibility of a minimum sentence, counsel’s failure to inform him renders his convictions void. Hartzog v. Keeney, 304 Or 57, 742 P2d 600 (1987). The post-conviction court concluded that, because Hartzog was decided after petitioner was sentenced, it does not apply. We have determined otherwise. Moen v. Peterson, supra n 1. Because the post-conviction court made no findings regarding what information petitioner had before the entry of his plea, we remand for that determination and for further proceedings pursuant to that finding. See Meyers v. Maass, 106 Or App 32, 806 P2d 695 (1991).

¶3The post-conviction court also erred in holding that the trial court was not required by ORS 137.123(4) to make a finding that it was authorized by subsection (4) (a) or (b) to impose consecutive sentences. State v. Racicot, 106 Or App 557, 809 P2d 726 (1991).

¶4Petitioner’s remaining assignments of error do not require discussion.

¶5Judgment vacated; remanded for further proceedings.