Opinion ID: 2149364
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Rearraignment on Habitual Offender Charge

Text: The original charges against Ashley, filed on June 8, 1982, alleged that Ashley was an habitual offender by virtue of prior unrelated felony convictions for armed robbery in October 1977 and delivery of a controlled substance in February 1975. On September 3, 1982, Ashley waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. The habitual offender information was amended four times prior to trial. The final amendment, filed on September 9, 1983, alleged that Ashley had been previously convicted of the prior unrelated felonies of robbery in December 1977, commission of a felony while armed in October 1977, delivery of a controlled substance in April, 1975, and robbery in May 1967. Substantially the same offenses had been alleged in previous amendments, varying only according to the date of prior convictions. On the morning of trial, Ashley requested rearraignment on the amended habitual offender count. The judge denied this request and proceeded with the trial, over defendant's objection. Ashley alleges that the trial court erred by refusing to rearraign him on the amended habitual offender charge. Appellant correctly notes that habitual offender allegations must be charged in the same manner as a criminal offense, Sears v. State (1983), Ind., 456 N.E.2d 390, 393, and must contain all of the procedural matters and safeguards of the original underlying charges. Griffin v. State (1982), Ind., 439 N.E.2d 160, 165. Arraignment is one of the procedural safeguards required for habitual offender allegations. Id. at 164. The purpose of arraignment is to give notice to the accused of the charges against him and to permit him to enter a plea to those charges. Walker v. State (1983), Ind., 444 N.E.2d 842, 844. While arraignment is the appropriate procedure for habitual offender charges, failure to arraign is not grounds for reversal absent any prejudice which results. Edwards v. State (1985), Ind., 479 N.E.2d 541, 548. The trial court's denial of Ashley's request for rearraignment did not result in any discernable prejudice. Ashley had been aware of the habitual offender charges for over a year and had been informed ten days before trial of the specific prior convictions the State intended to prove. He alleges no surprise at the charges, nor did he indicate a need for a continuance to allow him to prepare a defense to the charges. Appellant argues that reversal is required because he did not have the opportunity to plead to the amended habitual offender charge. He has not indicated whether he wanted to admit the allegation or deny it. If he wanted to admit, the trial judge would have given him an enhanced sentence. If he wanted to deny, the trial judge would have required the State to prove the allegation, which it did. The procedural rights protected by arraignment were safeguarded in this case. The defendant had notice of the charges against him and had an adequate opportunity to prepare a defense. He had entered a plea to the charges, and at no time expressed a desire to change that plea. No prejudice has been shown in the denial of the requested rearraignment.