Rule 37.39 Information - Amendment - Delay

Here's a plain English summary:

If you're charged with breaking a city or town ordinance, the prosecutor can change the written charges against you up until the judge or jury makes a decision on your case. But there are limits on this. The new charge has to still be about the same violation, not a completely different one. The change also can't hurt your ability to defend yourself in any serious way.

Even if the charges get changed, your trial won't automatically get pushed back. The only time the court will delay the trial is if it decides you genuinely need more time to prepare your defense because of the change. So if the amendment is minor and doesn't affect your defense, your court date stays the same.

This rule exists to give some flexibility to fix small mistakes or wording issues in the charging paperwork, while still protecting your right to a fair defense. It stops prosecutors from using last minute changes to blindside you with something you weren't prepared to fight.