State ex rel. Juvenile Department of Multnomah County v. Lang

765 P.2d 1240, 307 Or. 233

• Court: Oregon Supreme Court
• Decided: December 20, 1988
• Docket: CC 8611-81925; CA A44663; SC S35281
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM

We granted review in this case to decide whether a child’s statements to a doctor identifying her sex abuser are admissible under OEC 803(4).¹

On de novo review, we find no need to reach that issue because there is overwhelming evidence that this child is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a person subjected to “cruelty or depravity or to unexplained physical injury.” ORS 419.476(l)(e). Once the state proved that the child is within the jurisdiction of the court, the disposition of the child is made by the juvenile court without regard to “competency or relevancy under the rules of evidence.” ORS 419.500(2).

We therefore affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals and the judgment of the trial court.

1 OEC 803(4) provides:

“The following are not excluded by Rule 802, even though the declarant is available as a witness:

«* * * * *

“(4) Statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain or sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause of external source thereof in so far as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.”