California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Wright, 209 Cal.App.3d 386, 257 Cal.Rptr. 247 (Cal. App. 1989):
"The principal impediment" is notice. " 'Due process of law requires that an accused be advised of the charges against him in order that he may have a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present his defense and [209 Cal.App.3d 393] not be taken by surprise by evidence offered at his trial'." (People v. Marshall, supra, 48 Cal.2d 394, 402, fn. 6, 309 P.2d 456.)
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