Opinion ID: 1201575
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Were the counts properly joined?

Text: Ariz.R.Crim.P. 13.3 and 13.4 govern the joinder and severance of counts. These rules provide, in relevant part: RULE 13.3 JOINDER a. Offenses. Provided that each is stated in a separate count, 2 or more offenses may be joined in an indictment, information, or complaint, if they: (1) Are of the same or similar character; or (2) Are based on the same conduct or are otherwise connected together in their commission; or (3) Are alleged to have been part of a common scheme or plan.       RULE 13.4 SEVERANCE a. In General. Whenever 2 or more offenses or 2 or more defendants have been joined for trial, and severance of any or all offenses, or of any or all defendants, or both, is necessary to promote a fair determination of the guilt or innocence of any defendant of any offense, the court may on its own initiative, and shall on motion of a party, order such severance. b. As of Right. The defendant shall be entitled as of right to sever offenses joined only by virtue of Rule 13.3(a)(1). The trial court held that joinder was appropriate under Rule 13.3(a)(1) and (a)(2). The facts make it quite apparent that the charges were of the same or similar character. Each involved an attack and beating of an elderly woman living alone; each involved infliction of similar injuries. See State v. Day, 148 Ariz. 490, 715 P.2d 743 (1986). Because we believe that Rule 13.3(a)(1) more clearly supports joinder in this case, we do not address Rule 13.3(a)(2).