Opinion ID: 2159654
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of the Pleading

Text: [¶ 10] Radley was convicted of one of the charges of misuse of identification contained within CR-01-280. She argues that this conviction must be vacated because the pleading failed to provide the name of the alleged victim. [¶ 11] Pursuant to our Rules of Criminal Procedure, a complaint shall be a plain, concise, and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. M.R.Crim. P. 3(a). Also, we have stated that a complaint is sufficient if it adequately apprise[s] a defendant of reasonable and normal intelligence of the act charged, enabling him to defend himself and, upon conviction or acquittal, to make use of the judgment as the basis for a plea of former jeopardy, should the occasion arise. State v. Sprague, 583 A.2d 203, 204 (Me. 1990) (quoting State v. Carter, 444 A.2d 37, 39 (Me. 1982) (emphasis omitted)). Thus, although a complaint must inform the defendant of the charges against her, it need not specify all of the circumstances surrounding the alleged criminal act. See State v. Hebert, 448 A.2d 322, 326 (Me. 1982) (valid gross sexual misconduct indictment was sufficient even when it failed to specify the particular offensive act within a broader statute); State v. Coleman, 452 A.2d 397, 399 (Me. 1982) (burglary indictment that failed to specify the location of the alleged crime was sufficient because the statute did not require a location). [¶ 12] The disputed pleading states: On or about January 8, 2001, in Thomaston, Knox County, Maine, BRENDA L. RADLEY, did intentionally or knowingly present or use an account, credit, or billing number without authorization or that was obtained as a result of fraud or deception, in order to obtain confidential information, property or services. This pleading provides the date and location and outlines the elements of the alleged crime. Due to the fact that the Boisverts' home is located in Thomaston, that Radley baby-sat for the Boisverts on January 8, 2001, and that, within the complaint, the disputed pleading precedes the theft pleading that specifically names the Boisverts as victims, Radley should have been aware that the misuse of identification charge concerned the Boisverts. Though it would have been better practice for the State to include the name of the alleged victim, we cannot say that the pleading is defective on its face. To the contrary, the pleading provides enough information to alert Radley of the crime charged and enable her to offer a defense. Moreover, there is no indication from the record or the transcript that the omission of the victim's name confused Radley. If she had been confused, she had the option of asking the court to direct the filing of a bill of particulars to clear up the ambiguities. M.R.Crim.P. 16(c)(1).