What is the burden of proving constructive amendment to a criminal charge?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from United States v. Zaky, No. 13-3541-cr (2nd Cir. 2014):

"We review de novo challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence underlying a criminal conviction, but a defendant bears a heavy burden . . . because we review evidence on a sufficiency challenge in the light most favorable to the government and draw all inferences in favor of the government." United States v. Lee, 723 F.3d 134, 143 (2d Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks, citations, and brackets omitted) (emphasis in original). "We will uphold a judgment of conviction if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Id. (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted) (emphasis in original).

"A constructive amendment of an indictment occurs when either the proof at trial or the trial court's jury instructions so altered an essential element of the charge that, upon review, it is uncertain whether the defendant was convicted of conduct that was the subject of the grand jury's indictment." United States v. Dupre, 462 F.3d 131, 140 (2d Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted). "By contrast, a variance occurs when the charging terms of the indictment are left unaltered, but the evidence at trial proves facts materially different from those alleged in the indictment," and requires the defendant to demonstrate prejudice by showing that the defendant was not informed of the charges against him. Id. (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted).

Other Questions


Can a constructive amendment to a criminal charge be considered constructive amendment? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
In what circumstances will a defendant be charged with a criminal charge if he and his codefendants were arrested in the same criminal investigation? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for a constructive amendment to a criminal charge? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the burden of proving that a delay in bringing a criminal charge of sexual assault caused actual prejudice? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is there a constructive amendment to an indictment under section 922(g) of the Criminal Code when evidence that the firearm travelled in and affecting commerce supports a crime other than that charged in the indictment? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a fisher who is charged with criminal contempt have the burden of proving that he falls within the scope of an injunction against him? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a minor criminal offence included in the criminal history of a defendant in the Criminal History of the Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the burden of proving vindictiveness against a federal prosecutor who increases the severity of criminal charges following a procedural right? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When counting criminal convictions for career offender purposes under section 4A1.2 of the Criminal Code, is the criminal conviction of a career offender included in the criminal record calculation? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is a constructive amendment to a criminal charge? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.