Opinion ID: 2174587
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Resistance to remand.

Text: Lange argues that the failure to affix the drug tax stamp offense should not be remanded for trial because he has already been placed in jeopardy on the charge. Although a hearing upon Lange's motion to dismiss was held before jury selection, the district court reserved its ruling until after the jury was selected and before evidence was offered. Lange argues jeopardy attached at the moment the jury was sworn. See Moritz, 293 N.W.2d at 242. The trial was terminated upon Lange's motion to dismiss. The district court's failure to postpone jury selection until it could give full consideration to the defendant's motion was reasonable and not in bad faith. Lange had no objection to the court reserving ruling on his motion until after selection of the jury. The criminal proceeding was terminated at defendant's request and with his consent. We believe the court's dismissal of the charge after selection of the jury is the functional equivalent of a declaration of mistrial and Lange may be retried. See Lee v. United States, 432 U.S. 23, 97 S.Ct. 2141, 53 L.Ed.2d 80 (1977) (dismissal of charge because trial information was inadequate did not prevent retrial although dismissal was granted after all evidence had been received); see also 21 Am.Jur.2d Criminal Law § 313 (1981). We remand this case for trial on the drug tax stamp charge. However, before trial the court must address the motion to dismiss based on prosecutorial delay. REVERSED AND REMANDED.