Harrisvs.

State
Facts:
TherecordoftheCourtbelowplainlyshowsthattheconvictionwasnotbaseduponthe
informationactuallyfiledthereinbutwasbaseduponadifferentchargeverballyentered
bytheCourt.Aninformation,asthewordisusedintheFamilyCourtAct,isaformal
accusationofcrime,differingfromanindictmentonlyinthatitispresentedbya
prosecutingofficerinsteadofagrandjury.Onlybyinformationmayprosecutionsbe
carriedoninthatCourt.Certainly,achargeenteredbytheCourtitselfisnotan
informationnorcanittaketheplaceofone.
Issue:Whetherornotthecourthasjurisdictionoveracriminalcasewithoutformal
accusation.
Ruling:No,thecourtcannotacquirejurisdictionovercriminalcasewithoutformal
accusation.TogiveaCourtjurisdictionoveracriminalcase,theremustbeaformal
accusationintheparticularmodeorformprescribedbyconstitutionorstatute.
TheState'ssoleargumentisthatappellant,bypleadingandgoingtotrialonthemerits,
waivedthefilingofaninformationchargingviolationofCodeSection3527.This
argumentnecessarilyassumesthattherequirementofaformalaccusationasprescribed
bystatuteinvolvesonlyjurisdictionoftheperson.Thatassumptionisinherentinthe
contentionbecauseitiseverywhereheldthatjurisdictionoversubjectmatterorcauseof
actioncannotbeconferreduponaCourtbyconsentorwaiver,butmaybequestionedat
anystageoftheproceedings.Theabsenceofaformalaccusationoftherequiredtype,
thereisnothingbeforetheCourtforittoactuponand,insuchevent,theCourtacquires
nojurisdictionoverthecaseitself.