Rule 7 The Information
Rule Text
(a) ~. All offenses except misdemeanors shall be prosecuted by information. An information may be filed without leave of court.
(b) Vacant.
(c) Nature and Contents.
(1) In General. The information shall be a plain, concise, and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. It shall be signed by the attorney for the government. It need not contain a formal commencement, a fonnal conclusion, or any other matter not necessary to such statement. Allegations made in one count may be incorporated by reference in another court. It may be alleged in a single count that the means by which the defendant committed the offense are unknown or that he committed it hy one or more specified means. The information shall state for each count the citation of the statute, rule, regulation or other provision of law which the defendant is alleged to have violated.
(2) Criminal Forfeiture. No judgment of forfeiture may be entered in a criminal proceeding unless the information shall allege the extent of the interest or property subject to forfeiture.
(3) Harmless Error. Error in the citation or its omission shall not be ground for dismissal of the information or for reversal of a conviction if the error or omission did not mislead the defendant to his prejudice.
(d) Surplusa~e. The court on motion of the defendant may strike surplusage from the information.
(e) Amendment. The court may permit an information to be amended at any time before verdict or finding if no additional or different offense is charged and if substantial rights of the defendant are not prejudiced.
(f) Bill of Particulars. The court may direct the filing of a bill of particulars. A motion for a bill of particulars may be made before arraignment or within ten (10) days after arraignment or at such later time as the court may permit. A bill of particulars may be amended at any time subject to such conditions as justice requires.