State v. Sanders

OPINION

SULT, Judge.

¶ 1 In this opinion we address the interplay between the notice requirement of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and that portion of Rule 13.5(b) of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure governing amendments to an indictment or information. We hold that an amendment proposed mid-trial that changes the nature of the original charge deprives an accused of the type of notice and opportunity to prepare a defense contemplated by the Sixth Amendment and is therefore not permitted by Rule 13.5(b). Because defendant John R. Sanders was convicted of aggravated…