N.D.R.Crim.P.
RULE 52. HARMLESS ERROR AND OBVIOUS ERROR
(a) Harmless Error. Any error, defect, irregularity or variance which that does not affect substantial rights shall must be disregarded.
(b) Obvious Error. Obvious errors or defects affecting An obvious error or defect that affects substantial rights may be noticed although they were considered even though it was not brought to the court's attention of the court.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 52 was amended, effective ____________________.
Rule 52 is adapted in the language of Rule 57 of the Uniform Rules of Criminal Procedure of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (1952) and differs from the Federal Rule from Fed.R.Crim.P. 52 and differs only in the substitution of the word "obvious" error for "plain" error. This Rule rule applies to both the trial courts and the appellate courts. If the initial action of the trial court was correct, Rule 52 has no application. If, however, the original action was incorrect, three types of error may be assigned for review by the appellate court. These are: (1) harmless error or error not prejudicial to the defendant; (2) reversible error or error that was prejudicial and to which objection was made in the trial court; and (3) obvious error or error so fundamental that a new trial or other relief must be granted even though the action was not objected to at the time. [See Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 851, page 349 (1969).]
Subdivision (a) provides that any error, defect, irregularity or variance that does not affect substantial rights of an accused shall must be disregarded. To determine whether error affecting substantial rights of the defendant has been committed, the entire record must be considered and the probable effect of the error determined in the light of all the evidence. Generally speaking, however, an error of constitutional dimensions is more likely to be found prejudicial than ordinary errors. Before a Federal federal constitutional error may be held harmless, the court must be able to declare a belief that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. [Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 87 S. Ct. 824, 17 L. Ed. 2d 705, 24 A.L.R.3d 1065, rehearing denied, 386 U.S. 987, 87 S. Ct. 1283, 18 L. Ed. 2d 241 (1967).] Generally, it may be said that the defendant has the burden of showing that a technical error has affected his substantial rights [Black v. United States, 309 F.2d 331 (8th Cir. 1962), cert. denied, 372 U.S. 934, 83 S. Ct. 880, 9 L. Ed. 2d 765 (1963)] , but that if the error was fundamental, or of such a character as would normally prejudice substantial rights, the burden is on the prosecution to demonstrate its harmlessness. [Bihn v. United States, 328 U.S. 633, 66 S. Ct. 1172, 90 L. Ed. 1484 (1946)] [See Wright, supra, § 854, pages 356-357.]
Subdivision (b) provides that obvious errors affecting substantial rights may be noticed even though they were not brought to the attention of the court. But the power to notice obvious error, whether at the request of counsel or on the court's own motion, is one the courts should exercise cautiously and only in exceptional circumstances. The power should be exercised only where a serious injustice has been done to the defendant. [See Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 856, pages 372-374 (1969).]
Rule 52 was amended, effective __________________, in response to the December 1, 2002, revision of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of ________________ pages ____; February 20-23, 1973, page 11; December 10-12, 1970, pages 15-17; 18 U.S.C.A., Fed.R.Crim.P. 52, page 399; Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure: Criminal, § § 851-856 (1969); 8A Moore's Federal Practice, Chapter 52 (Cipes, 2d Ed. 1971); Rule 57, Uniform Rules of Criminal Procedure, drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (1952).
STATUTES AFFECTED:
SUPERSEDED: N.D.C.C. § 29-28-26.
CROSS REFERENCE: N.D.R.Civ.P. 61 (Harmless Error).