Rule 3A:6. The Indictment and the Information

(a) Contents. — The indictment or information, in describing the offense charged,

must cite the statute or ordinance that defines the offense or, if there is no defining statute

or ordinance, prescribes the punishment for the offense. Error in the citation of the statute

or ordinance that defines the offense or prescribes the punishments therefor, or omission

of the citation, will not be grounds for dismissal of an indictment or information, or for

reversal of a conviction, unless the court finds that the error or omission prejudiced the

accused in preparing his defense.

(b) Joinder of Offenses. — Two or more offenses, any of which may be a felony

or misdemeanor, may be charged in separate counts of an indictment or information if the

offenses are based on the same act or transaction, or on two or more acts or transactions

that are connected or constitute parts of a common scheme or plan.

(c) Joinder of Defendants. — Two or more accused may be charged with a

count(s) of an indictment, if they are charged with participating in contemporaneous and

related acts or occurrences or in a series of acts or occurrences constituting an offense or

offenses.

(d) Form. — The indictment or information need not contain a formal

commencement or conclusion. The return of an indictment must be signed by the

foreman of the grand jury, and the information must be signed by the Commonwealth's

attorney.

PART THREE A

CRIMINAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE