Opinion ID: 2083211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Minutes of evidence.

Text: In a different context the defendant again complains of the State's attempt to prove he was one of the burglars, asserting the trial court erred in denying his motion to set aside the trial information. He argues the minutes, Iowa R.Crim.P. 5(4), failed to set forth evidence which would warrant conviction of the crime charged if explained, since they merely place him with his brother David before and after the crime and not at the scene. In response, the State argues rule 5(4) was not violated because it can be reasonably inferred from the minutes the defendant was one of the burglars. Rule 5 establishes the procedure for preparation and filing of the trial information. It requires approval by a judge having jurisdiction of the offense: Prior to the filing of the information, a district judge, district associate judge or magistrate having jurisdiction of the offense must approve the information by a finding that the evidence contained in the information and the minutes of evidence, if unexplained, would warrant a conviction by the trial jury. If not approved, the charge may be presented to the grand jury for consideration. At any time after judicial approval of an information, and prior to the commencement of trial, the court, on its own motion, may order said information set aside and said case submitted to the grand jury. Iowa R.Crim.P. 5(4) (emphasis added). There is a preliminary question whether an accused may move under rule 5(4) to set aside a trial information. The rule does not expressly provide for such motion but, as the State concedes, it appears reasonable to conclude that such avenue for relief is inherent within it. Cf. State v. Wrage, 279 N.W.2d 4, 5 (Iowa 1979) (under Iowa Code § 903.2 (1979) a trial court may, on motion, reconsider a misdemeanant's sentence although the statute only provided for reconsideration sua sponte: We know of no rule which prohibits parties from applying to courts for appropriate relief.) The question remains whether evidence contained in the information and the minutes of evidence, if unexplained, would warrant a conviction by the trial jury. Iowa R.Crim.P. 5(4). The defendant suggests this requirement necessitates a greater showing than that for probable cause. However, in State v. Shank, 296 N.W.2d 791, 792 (Iowa 1980), this court indicated the requirement in rule 5(4) incorporated that standard: the minutes are essential for the magistrate to find probable cause for detaining the accused on the charge. See J. Roehrick, The New Iowa Criminal Code: A Comparison 468 (1978) (rule 5(4) requires the court to find probable cause before the information is filed). See generally Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103, 119, 95 S.Ct. 854, 865, 43 L.Ed.2d 54, 68 (1975) (the filing of a trial information by a prosecutor, alone, does not satisfy the fourth amendment). In State v. Leto, 305 N.W.2d 482, 485 (Iowa 1981) we noted that [w]hile probable cause requires more than a mere suspicion of criminal activity, or innocent-appearing activity, there is a large difference between proof of guilt and proof of probable cause. See Brinegar v. United States, 338 U.S. 160, 173, 69 S.Ct. 1302, 1309, 93 L.Ed. 1879, 1889 (1948); 1 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 52 at 42-43, § 77 at 125-26 (1969). We need not set out the minutes of evidence in detail. Suffice it to say they tracked the evidence of identification discussed in the prior division. For the reasons discussed there, this evidence of identification was sufficient: it would, if explained, warrant a conviction by a trial jury. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in refusing to set aside the trial information.