A Bill of Particulars is an order requiring the prosecution to state with more specificity the defendant’s involvement with a particular criminal offense. In Federal Court, a Bill of Particulars is governed by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 7(f). When our Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys make a motion for a Bill of Particulars pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 7(f), it gives the Los Angeles Federal District Court Judge discretion to order specificity as to the defendant’s specific participation in a federal criminal offense. For example, this type of motion is very beneficial to a defendant charged with a criminal conspiracy offense.
When a Federal District Court judge orders specificity as to the defendant’s participation in a criminal conspiracy offense, it can help the defendant by indicating the exact words used by him which would demonstrate whether he, in fact, willfully and knowing agreed to commit the crimes charged in the indictment. A Bill of Particulars also has the benefit of causing the AUSA to disclose the dates, places, purpose, and acts done in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy, helping the defendant better understand and assess the case against him. Finally, a Bill of Particulars can help a federal criminal defendant by informing him of whether the United States Attorney’s Office intends to charge him with aiding-and-abetting in commission of the federal offense and also the names of any alleged co-conspirators, which may help in preparing a defense for the accused.
