Opinion ID: 1946015
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: the multicount indictment used against the appellants was improper and therefore requires reversal.

Text: It is their contention that their motion to sever should have been granted because multi-count indictments are unauthorized except in a very few clearly defined situations and further, they point out that six of the counts against them concern intent to sell, while three concern possession alone. Multi-count indictments have long been a subject of discussion and controversy in this state, however, our recent case of Dixon v. State, 465 So.2d 1092 (1985), not yet reported, presented a detailed discussion of such indictments and finally resolved this question. Dixon was charged in a single indictment with five counts of possession of controlled substances. We pointed out that under MCA § 41-29-139 (1972), possession of controlled substances, regardless of classification, involves two elements; the knowing and intentional possession of controlled substances and the lack of a valid prescription. We went on to hold in Dixon that: ... [T]he trial court did not err in allowing the state to proceed on a five-count indictment where the crimes had the same elements and proof and arose from the same transaction or occurrence. We note further that although the two groups of charges carried different maximum punishments, the trial court recognized this by sentencing Dixon separately on each conviction. We see no merit in this assignment of error.