Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

12 Ind. 383

Baldwin v. State

Indiana Supreme Court

Decided June 2, 1859

Indiana Supreme Court · decided 1859-06-02

<p>An information is not bad for being signed by the district attorney with the official title of “prosecuting attorney,” instead of “district attorney.”</p>

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently January 1880

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1859-06-02

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

Hanna, J.

¶1This was a prosecution, by affidavit and information, in the Common Pleas Court. • A motion was made to quash the information, which was overruled.

¶2The only point made is upon that ruling of the Court.

¶3The bill of exceptions taken shows, that the objection made to the sufficiency of the information was, because it was not filed by the proper prosecuting attorney.

¶4The information states that “ John R. Flynn, prosecuting attorney for Cass county, of the state of Indiana," &c., and is signed aJohn R. Flynn, prosecuting attorney.”

¶5It is urged that, by the statute, the official name of the officer who represents the state, in prosecutions in the Circuit Court, is, “prosecuting attorney;” and that that of the officer who discharges somewhat similar duties in the Common Pleas Court, is, “district attorney;” and, therefore, so far as appears.by this information, it was presented by an officer who had no authority to discharge that official act in that Court.

¶6By our statute (2 E. S. p. 367, § 54), it is provided that, the information must contain, among other things, “the title of the action, specifying the name of the Court to which the information is presented;” and yet by the 61st section of the same act, it is provided that no information may be quashed, &c.—“ First. For a mistake in the name of the Court or county in the title thereof;” and, “ Seventh. *384Eor any other defect or imperfection which does not tend -¡¿g prejudiCe of the substantial rights of the defendant upon the merits.”

L. Chamberlin, for the appellant.

¶7Now, although it is provided by statute that the information shall be signed by the officer presenting it, yet we cannot perceive that a mistake in affixing to his signature his proper official designation, could prejudice the substantial rights of the defendant, upon the merits, to any greater extent than a failure to properly name the Court, as required in one portion of the statute.

Per Curiam.

¶8The judgment is affirmed with 3 per cent, damages and costs.

/12/ind/383 · .json · Public domain