Opinion ID: 2391136
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: joinder of counts for gambling and liquor violations.

Text: The appellant moved to quash the indictment for misjoinder of counts. Frequently indictments contain several counts alleging the same offense in different ways to meet the evidence, the details of which the prosecutor may not be able accurately to foresee before the trial. The use of multiple counts is not restricted to this situation, for it is well recognized that counts for distinct crimes may be combined, especially if they are of the same grade or if they are otherwise connected. People v. Gates, 13 Wend. (N.Y.) 311; Pointer v. U.S., 151 U.S. 396, 14 S.Ct. 410, 38 L.Ed. 208; Simmons v. State, 165 Md. 155, 167 A. 60; Wheeler v. State, 42 Md. 563; State v. Burk, 2 H. & J. 426. There is no rigid rule, and the only limitation is that courts will guard against injustice. Where the court, in its discretion, determines that there is reason to apprehend that the accused will be confounded, or the jury distracted by trial of the several counts together, he may order the State's Attorney to elect upon which counts he will stand, or in a clear case he may quash the indictment. Simmons v. State, supra ; State v. Bell, 27 Md. 675; State v. McNally, 55 Md. 559. The defendant can not demand such action as of right where there is no basis for thinking that the joinder of the counts will embarrass him in the trial. Such was the rule at common law and it has been consistently followed in this State. Simmons v. State, supra ; Toomer v. State, 112 Md. 285, 76 A. 118.