Court Opinion

ID: 9593809
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:25:06.775985+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:22.340582
License: Public Domain

Williams, J.*
(concurring)—The State concedes that the complaint did not set forth the statutory elements of the crime with which it was intended he be charged. "The omission of any statutory element of a crime in the charging document is a constitutional defect which may result in dismissal of the criminal charges." State v. Holt, 104 Wn.2d 315, 320, 704 P.2d 1189 (1985); State v. Bonds, 98 Wn.2d 1, 16, 653 P.2d 1024 (1982), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 831 (1983). While Holt deals with a superior court information, there is no principled reason for treating a district court complaint any differently. I therefore join in affirming the judgment reversing Leach's conviction.
Review granted at 112 Wn.2d 1017 (1989).

Judge Ward Williams is serving as a judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals pursuant to CAR 21(c).