Opinion ID: 1347676
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: nature of charging instrument

Text: [4] A charging document must be written in a manner that enables persons of common understanding to know what is intended. RCW 10.37.050(6). It is constitutionally adequate only if all essential elements of a crime are included in the document. State v. Hopper, 118 Wn.2d 151, 156, 822 P.2d 775 (1992). The purpose of this essential elements rule is to give notice of the nature and cause of an accusation against the accused so that a defense can be prepared. Auburn v. Brooke, 119 Wn.2d 623, 627-29, 836 P.2d 212 (1992). The rule ensures that the accused is apprised with reasonable certainty of the nature of the accusation. Leach, at 688. The rule is grounded in almost identical language in the state and federal constitutions. Const. art. 1, § 22 (amend. 10); U.S. Const. amend. 6 (In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right ... to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation). It is also rooted in due process doctrines concerning notice. U.S. Const. amends. 5, 14. See Leach, at 694-95. [5] When a defendant first claims on appeal that the charging document lacks an essential element of the crime charged, a stricter standard of review is applied. Hopper, at 155. The charging document is to be examined to determine whether there exists a fair construction by which the elements are all contained in the document. Hopper, at 156-57. This stricter standard: permits a court to construe a charging document quite liberally. If the information contains allegations that express the crime which was meant to be charged, it is sufficient even though it does not contain the statutory language. A court should be guided by common sense and practicality in construing the language. Even missing elements may be implied if the language supports such a result. (Citations omitted.) Hopper, at 156. However, this stricter standard is a rule of construction only. Hopper, at 157. If the document cannot be construed to give notice of or to contain in some manner the essential elements of a crime, the most liberal reading cannot cure it. Hopper, at 157. Moreover, even if a court can discern the presence of the essential elements by such liberal canons of construction, if the accused can nevertheless show that he or she actually lacked the requisite notice to prepare an adequate defense, the conviction should be dismissed. Hopper, at 156.