Opinion ID: 2518342
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Jurisdiction to Prosecute

Text: Overton asserts that his convictions must be reversed because the district court lacked jurisdiction to prosecute him. Overton claims that the State failed to commence prosecution for the crimes of which he was convicted within the statute of limitations when it did not prepare and deliver an arrest warrant to the sheriff for execution. An appellate court has the right to determine if a district court has jurisdiction of the matter appealed. State v. James, 276 Kan. 737, 744, 79 P.3d 169 (2003). To support his argument, Overton points out that K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 21-3106(11) provides in part: A prosecution is commenced when a complaint or information is filed, or an indictment returned, and a warrant thereon is delivered to the sheriff or other officer for execution. No such prosecution shall be deemed to have been commenced if the warrant so issued is not executed without unreasonable delay. Overton then asserts that State v. Washington, 12 Kan. App. 2d 634, 752 P.2d 1084, rev. denied 243 Kan. 781 (1988), interpreted 21-3106 and held that if the delay in executing a warrant is unreasonable, the delay shall be included in determining whether a prosecution was commenced within the statute of limitations. Overton argues that if a nonserved warrant defeats the statute of limitations in Washington, the failure to issue a warrant is also fatal. First, we note that Overton's reliance on Washington is misplaced. The basis for the Washington decision was failure to timely serve a warrant that had been issued within the statute of limitations. Here, there was never a warrant issued for Overton's arrest because he was arrested by an officer who had probable cause to believe Overton had committed a crime. A complaint was filed, and Overton's first appearance was held prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations of the crimes charged in this case. Therefore, Washington does not apply. The determination of whether the State properly commenced its prosecution of Overton requires a review of criminal procedure statutes. The criminal procedure statutes are set forth in Chapter 22 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated and are referred to as the Kansas Code of Criminal Procedure (Code). K.S.A. 22-2101 et seq. The Code governs the proceedings in all criminal cases in the district courts and shall be construed to secure simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay. K.S.A. 22-2102; K.S.A. 22-2103. After an investigation, a Wichita detective arrested Overton on July 6, 2001, for rape and aggravated indecent liberties for his acts with G.B. That arrest was without a warrant and was based on probable cause pursuant to K.S.A. 22-2401(c)(1). After his arrest, Overton was booked into jail; posted bond; was released on July 9, 2001; and was ordered to appear on a day certain. On July 12, 2001, the State filed a Complaint/Information, charging Overton with rape and indecent liberties with G.B. The case number for the charges regarding G.B. is 01CR1633. Overton does not claim that his arrest without a warrant in that case was illegal. On July 13, 2001, while on bond in this case, Overton was arrested for charges of rape and indecent liberties with T.R. A complaint on T.R.'s charges was later filed as case number 01CR1800. Overton remained in the custody of the sheriff for the second group of charges until July 17, 2001. On July 16, 2001, while still in custody for the T.R. charges, Overton made his first appearance in case number 01CR1633 for the charges related to G.B. Overton appeared with retained counsel. The complaint regarding G.B.'s charges was served on the defendant. The court again released Overton on his bond for the 01CR1633 charges by G.B. and ordered him to appear on July 30, 2001, for a preliminary hearing. Because Overton's first appearance on the 01CR1633 charges occurred while he was in custody on the subsequent charges, the court did not issue a warrant or summons on the 01CR1633 charges. Under the circumstances of this case, the district court's procedure comports with the purpose of the Code. The issuance of a warrant or summons for the arrest of a defendant already in custody on other charges is not required by the Code. Although K.S.A. 22-2302(1) requires a magistrate to issue a warrant or a summons after determining that there is probable cause supporting a complaint, the issuance of a warrant or summons is not required for commencing a prosecution pursuant to K.S.A. 22-2301(1). K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 22-2401(c)(1) provides that a law enforcement officer can arrest a person when the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed or is committing a felony. Once an arrest has been made without a warrant, the person arrested must be taken before the nearest available magistrate without unnecessary delay and a complaint filed forthwith. K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 22-2901(1). The accused may be released on bond after his or her first appearance before a magistrate, pending a preliminary examination or trial. K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 22-2802(1). In this case, Overton was arrested by a peace officer without a warrant because the officer had information that Overton had committed a felony. We note that a complaint is a written statement under oath of the essential facts constituting a crime. K.S.A. 22-2202(8). K.S.A. 22-2301(a) states that a prosecution is commenced when the complaint is filed. K.S.A. 22-2301(1) specifically provides: Unless otherwise provided by law, a prosecution shall be commenced by filing a complaint with a magistrate. A copy of the complaint shall forthwith be supplied to the county attorney of the county and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the defendant or said defendant's attorney upon request. The purpose for issuing a warrant or summons is to provide the accused with actual notice of the charge or charges against him or her and to insure that the accused appears before the court for further proceedings. See K.S.A. 22-2304 (form of warrant or summons). Both of those goals were accomplished when, as required by his bond, Overton voluntarily appeared for his first appearance without a warrant or summons being issued in this case. Overton has failed to show a violation of the Code or any prejudice resulting from the court's failure to issue a warrant or summons.