Opinion ID: 1993228
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Dismissal or Acquittal

Text: However, any dismissal following the attachment of jeopardy does not ipso facto constitute an acquittal. United States v. Scott, 437 U.S. 82, 95-97, 98 S.Ct. 2187, 2196-97, 57 L.Ed.2d 65 (1978). A judgment of acquittal is rendered, following the attachment of jeopardy, only if the dispositive ruling relates to the merits of the case and determines some or all of the factual elements of the offense charged. See United States v. Martin Linen Supply, Co., 430 U.S. 564, 571, 97 S.Ct. 1349, 1354, 51 L.Ed.2d 642 (1977). Delaware has codified those common law concepts and has provided that [t]here is an acquittal if the prosecution resulted in a finding of not guilty by the trier of fact or in a determination by the [trial] court that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. 11 Del.C. § 207(1). Moreover, it must be noted that the trial court's characterization of its decision as a dismissal or an acquittal cannot control the classification of its action for the purpose of determining the State's right to appeal. United States v. Scott, 437 U.S. at 96, 98 S.Ct. at 2196; State v. Reed, Del. Supr., 567 A.2d 414, 417 (1989); State v. Dennis, Del.Supr., 306 A.2d 729, 731 (1973). Consequently, an appellate court must assiduously examine the basis for the trial court's termination of a prosecution, following the attachment of jeopardy, whenever the State relies upon the constitutes a dismissal language of Section 9902(a) in asserting its right to appeal. See State v. Dennis, 306 A.2d at 731. In fact, this Court previously has recognized the important distinction between an acquittal and a mid-trial dismissal, notwithstanding even the trial court's characterization of its own ruling. See id. See also State v. Reed, 567 A.2d at 417.