Opinion ID: 1984209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: language of the information

Text: In these days of broadening pretrial discovery in criminal cases [see Rule 16, N.D.R.Crim.P.], open or almost completely open prosecutorial files [see State v. Hilling, 219 N.W.2d 164 (N.D.1974)], and availability of omnibus hearings and pretrial conferences [Rule 17.1, N.D.R.Crim.P.], it would be almost anachronistic to reverse a conviction because the language of the information or indictment is insufficiently detailed. When the prosecutor's files are generally open to the defense, when motions for discovery and for bills of particulars [Rules 16 and 7(f), N.D.R.Crim.P.] may be made, it would be most surprising if the defendant and his attorney were unaware prior to trial of the claims of the prosecution as to the felony attempted to be committed, the facts constituting the alleged abduction of the complainant, the kind of restraint used to effect the abduction, and the facts upon which the prosecution relies. If the defendant and his counsel know the factual basis for the allegations of the information, there is no reason for them to demand further particulars. Failure to demand amendment of an information, when they already know all they need to know to defend against it, is an indication of rationality, not incompetence, on the part of defense counsel. Defense counsel in the present case made use of a full array of pretrial procedures: motions to suppress, motion to forbid reference to criminal record, motion for exculpatory evidence, and motion for all categories of discovery under Rule 16, N.D.R.Crim.P. He prevailed on some of them. It certainly was not evidence of incompetence of an attorney that he failed to ask for more detail in an information when he had a very good picture of the prosecution's entire case. An information or indictment need not be couched in the language of the statute. It need only be specific enough to advise the defendant of the charge against him and to enable him to prepare for trial, and to plead the result in bar of a subsequent prosecution for the same offense. State v. Tjaden, 69 N.W.2d 272 (N.D.1955). The rule is the same under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, from which our rules were adapted. United States v. Tallant, 547 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1977); United States v. Sherman, 426 F.Supp. 85 (S.D.N.Y.1976); United States v. Hall, 424 F.Supp. 508 (D.Okl. 1975).