what does criminal assignment notice mean

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Legal question in criminal law in maryland, what is criminal assignment notice mean when someone has bail out on bond, 1 answer from attorneys.

Criminal assignment is the office in the courthouse which schedules hearings and trials. An attorney can assist you with evaluating the prosecution's case, any defenses that you might have, and any plea offer that might be made, so that you can decide whether to plea bargain or go to trial. If you were to be found guilty, then an attorney can assist you with presenting mitigation, allocution, and a recommendation for a more lenient sentence. and a recommendation for a more lenient sentence. Consider seeking a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Beware that online posts are not confidential. If somehow the prosecution were to find your post, then it might be used in evidence against you.

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• Probable Cause and Probable Cause Hearings in Criminal Law Cases

To make a valid arrest or get an arrest warrant from a judge, the police must have probable cause. This is a different standard from the reasonable suspicion standard required to make an initial stop. Determining how much evidence is necessary to justify a finding of probable cause depends on the specific facts of the situation. A police officer needs more evidence than the level required for the reasonable suspicion standard, but they do not need to have enough evidence to prove that the suspect is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. No percentage has been assigned to probable cause. Some judges seem to believe that the standard is less demanding than the preponderance of the evidence standard used in civil cases. Since that standard involves a greater than 50 percent probability, probable cause may not be what most people would consider “probable.”

Determining Probable Cause

Probable cause requires objective facts, not subjective beliefs.

A police officer must have more than a subjective hunch to make an arrest or get an arrest warrant. They need to have objective evidence that indicates the suspect’s responsibility for the crime. Even if a police officer believes that they have probable cause, a judge may not necessarily agree. They will review the information in the affidavit for the warrant and make a final decision. You should be aware that being guilty of a crime and having probable cause for an arrest are two different things. Probable cause may exist even if the defendant is not guilty.

Probable Cause Hearings

This term can refer to either of two types of hearings. Generally, a probable cause hearing happens together with the defendant’s first court appearance after their arrest. The judge will determine whether probable cause supported the arrest. If it did not, law enforcement will not be able to continue holding the defendant in custody if they have not been released on bail or on their own recognizance. The other type of probable cause hearing happens after the prosecution has filed charges and involves the judge considering testimony on whether the defendant more likely than not committed the crime. If probable cause exists, the case will move forward toward trial.

If the police get a warrant before making an arrest, the warrant will satisfy the Fourth Amendment requirement of probable cause. However, since officers generally do not get a warrant before making an arrest, a judge often will need to determine whether probable cause exists soon after a suspect is taken into custody. The judge may make a finding of probable cause if they are persuaded by a written statement from the police or prosecution regarding the facts of the case.

• 1 Exclusion of evidence seized during the illegal arrest
• 2 Removal of the arrest from the record
• 3 Possibly a civil lawsuit for damages (usually only when an arrestee was physically hurt)

Timing for Probable Cause Hearings

Prompt action can be important for probable cause hearings. States may require a hearing within 24 hours after an arrest, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that 48 hours is close enough for constitutional purposes. Even if the hearing occurs within the required period, a constitutional violation still may arise if law enforcement delayed the hearing for improper reasons, such as looking for evidence to support probable cause. Failing to meet the deadline likely will justify the suspect’s release unless law enforcement can show that there is an extraordinary reason warranting an exception.

Last reviewed October 2023

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Assignments: why you need to serve a notice of assignment

It's the day of completion; security is taken, assignments are completed and funds move. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. At this point, no-one wants to create unnecessary paperwork - not even the lawyers! Notices of assignment are, in some circumstances, optional. However, in other transactions they could be crucial to a lender's enforcement strategy. In the article below, we have given you the facts you need to consider when deciding whether or not you need to serve notice of assignment.

What issues are there with serving notice of assignment?

Assignments are useful tools for adding flexibility to banking transactions. They enable the transfer of one party's rights under a contract to a new party (for example, the right to receive an income stream or a debt) and allow security to be taken over intangible assets which might be unsuitable targets for a fixed charge. A lender's security net will often include assignments over contracts (such as insurance or material contracts), intellectual property rights, investments or receivables.

An assignment can be a legal assignment or an equitable assignment. If a legal assignment is required, the assignment must comply with a set of formalities set out in s136 of the Law of Property Act 1925, which include the requirement to give notice to the contract counterparty.

The main difference between legal and equitable assignments (other than the formalities required to create them) is that with a legal assignment, the assignee can usually bring an action against the contract counterparty in its own name following assignment. However, with an equitable assignment, the assignee will usually be required to join in proceedings with the assignor (unless the assignee has been granted specific powers to circumvent that). That may be problematic if the assignor is no longer available or interested in participating.

Why should we serve a notice of assignment?

The legal status of the assignment may affect the credit scoring that can be given to a particular class of assets. It may also affect a lender's ability to effect part of its exit strategy if that strategy requires the lender to be able to deal directly with the contract counterparty.

The case of General Nutrition Investment Company (GNIC) v Holland and Barrett International Ltd and another (H&B) provides an example of an equitable assignee being unable to deal directly with a contract counterparty as a result of a failure to provide a notice of assignment.

The case concerned the assignment of a trade mark licence to GNIC . The other party to the licence agreement was H&B. H&B had not received notice of the assignment. GNIC tried to terminate the licence agreement for breach by serving a notice of termination. H&B disputed the termination. By this point in time the original licensor had been dissolved and so was unable to assist.

At a hearing of preliminary issues, the High Court held that the notices of termination served by GNIC , as an equitable assignee, were invalid, because no notice of the assignment had been given to the licensee. Although only a High Court decision, this follows a Court of Appeal decision in the Warner Bros Records Inc v Rollgreen Ltd case, which was decided in the context of the attempt to exercise an option.

In both cases, an equitable assignee attempted to exercise a contractual right that would change the contractual relationship between the parties (i.e. by terminating the contractual relationship or exercising an option to extend the term of a licence). The judge in GNIC felt that "in each case, the counterparty (the recipient of the relevant notice) is entitled to see that the potential change in his contractual position is brought about by a person who is entitled, and whom he can see to be entitled, to bring about that change".

In a security context, this could hamper the ability of a lender to maximise the value of the secured assets but yet is a constraint that, in most transactions, could be easily avoided.

Why not serve notice?

Sometimes it's just not necessary or desirable. For example:

• If security is being taken over a large number of low value receivables or contracts, the time and cost involved in giving notice may be disproportionate to the additional value gained by obtaining a legal rather than an equitable assignment.
• If enforcement action were required, the equitable assignee typically has the option to join in the assignor to any proceedings (if it could not be waived by the court) and provision could be made in the assignment deed for the assignor to assist in such situations. Powers of attorney are also typically granted so that a lender can bring an action in the assignor's name.
• Enforcement is often not considered to be a significant issue given that the vast majority of assignees will never need to bring claims against the contract counterparty.

Care should however, be taken in all circumstances where the underlying contract contains a ban on assignment, as the contract counterparty would not have to recognise an assignment that is made in contravention of that ban. Furthermore, that contravention in itself may trigger termination and/or other rights in the assigned contract, that could affect the value of any underlying security.

What about acknowledgements of notices?

A simple acknowledgement of service of notice is simply evidence of the notice having been received. However, these documents often contain commitments or assurances by the contract counterparty which increase their value to the assignee.

Best practice for serving notice of assignment

Each transaction is different and the weighting given to each element of the security package will depend upon the nature of the debt and the borrower's business. The service of a notice of assignment may be a necessity or an optional extra. In each case, the question of whether to serve notice is best considered with your advisers at the start of a transaction to allow time for the lender's priorities to be highlighted to the borrowers and captured within the documents.

For further advice on serving notice of assignment please contact Kirsty Barnes or Catherine Phillips  from our Banking & Finance team.

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Deed of Assignment and the Notice of Assignment -What is the Difference?

In this article, Richard Gray barrister takes a brief look at the differences between a Deed of Assignment and a Notice of Assignment and the effect of the assignment on the contracting party

At the end of 2020, Elysium Law were instructed to act for a significant number of clients in relation to claims made by a company known as Felicitas Solutions Ltd (an Isle of Man Company) for recovery of loans which had been assigned out of various trust companies following loan planning entered into by various employees/contractors.

Following our detailed response, as to which please see the article on our website written by my colleague Ruby Keeler-Williams , the threatened litigation by way of debt claims seem to disappear. It is important to note that the original loans had been assigned by various Trustees to Felicitas, by reason of which, Felicitas stood in the shoes of the original creditor, which allowed the threatened action to be pursued.

After a period of inertia, Our Clients, as well as others, have been served with demand letters by a new assignee known as West 28 th Street Ltd . Accompanying the demand letters is a Notice of Assignment, by reason of which the Assignee has informed the alleged debtor of the Assignees right to enforce the debt.

Following two conferences we held last week and a number of phone call enquiries which we have received, we have been asked to comment upon the purport and effect of the Notice of Assignment, which the alleged debtors have received. Questions such as what does this mean (relating to the content) but more importantly is the ‘Notice’ valid?

Here I want to look briefly at the differences between the two documents.

There is no need for payment to make the assignment valid and therefore it is normally created by Deed.

 The creation of a legal assignment is governed by Section 136 of the Law of Property Act 1925:

136 Legal assignments of things in action.

(1)Any absolute assignment by writing under the hand of the assignor (not purporting to be by way of charge only) of any debt or other legal thing in action, of which express notice in writing has been given to the debtor, trustee or other person from whom the assignor would have been entitled to claim such debt or thing in action, is effectual in law (subject to equities having priority over the right of the assignee) to pass and transfer from the date of such notice—

(a) the legal right to such debt or thing in action;

(b) all legal and other remedies for the same; and

(c) the power to give a good discharge for the same without the concurrence of the assignor:

Some of the basic requirements for a legal assignment are;

• The assignment must not be subject to conditions.
• The rights to be assigned must not relate to only part of a debt, or other legal chose in action.
• The assignment must be in writing and signed by the assignor.
• The other party or parties to the agreement must be given notice of the assignment.

Notice of assignment

To create a legal assignment, section 136 requires that express notice in writing of the assignment must be given to the other contracting party (the debtor).

Notice must be in writing

Section 136 of the LPA 1925 requires “express notice in writing” to be given to the other original contracting party (or parties).

 Must the notice take any particular form?

The short answer is no. Other than the requirement that it is in writing, there is no prescribed form for the notice of assignment or its contents. However, common sense suggests that the notice must clearly identify the agreement concerned.

Can we  challenge the Notice?

No. You can challenge the validity of the assignment assignment by ‘attacking the Deed, which must conform with Section 136. In this specific case, the Notice sent by West 28 th Street in itself is valid. Clearly, any claims made must be effected by a compliant Deed and it is that which will require detailed consideration before any right to claim under the alleged debt is considered.

Can I demand sight of the assignment agreement

On receiving a notice of assignment, you may seek to satisfy yourself that the assignment has in fact taken place. The Court of Appeal has confirmed that this is a valid concern, but that does not give an automatic right to require sight of the assignment agreement.

In Van Lynn Developments Limited v Pelias Construction Co [1969]1QB 607  Lord  Denning said:

“After receiving the notice, the debtor will be entitled, of course, to require a sight of the assignment so as to be satisfied that it is valid…”

The Court of Appeal subsequently confirmed this  stating the contracting party is entitled to satisfy itself that a valid absolute assignment has taken place, so that it can be confident the assignee can give it a good discharge of its obligations

The important document is the Deed of Assignment, which sets out the rights assigned by the Assignor. The Notice of Assignment is simply a communication that there has been an assignment. The deed is governed by Section 136 of the LP 1925. It should be possible to obtain a copy of the Deed prior to any action taken in respect of it.

For more information on the claims by West 28 th Street or if advice is needed on the drafting of a Deed, then please call us on 0151-328-1968 or visit www.elysium-law.com .

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Assignment is a legal term whereby an individual, the “assignor,” transfers rights, property, or other benefits to another known as the “ assignee .”   This concept is used in both contract and property law.  The term can refer to either the act of transfer or the rights /property/benefits being transferred.

Contract Law   

Under contract law, assignment of a contract is both: (1) an assignment of rights; and (2) a delegation of duties , in the absence of evidence otherwise.  For example, if A contracts with B to teach B guitar for $50, A can assign this contract to C.  That is, this assignment is both: (1) an assignment of A’s rights under the contract to the $50; and (2) a delegation of A’s duty to teach guitar to C.  In this example, A is both the “assignor” and the “delegee” who d elegates the duties to another (C), C is known as the “ obligor ” who must perform the obligations to the assignee , and B is the “ assignee ” who is owed duties and is liable to the “ obligor ”.

(1) Assignment of Rights/Duties Under Contract Law

There are a few notable rules regarding assignments under contract law.  First, if an individual has not yet secured the contract to perform duties to another, he/she cannot assign his/her future right to an assignee .  That is, if A has not yet contracted with B to teach B guitar, A cannot assign his/her rights to C.  Second, rights cannot be assigned when they materially change the obligor ’s duty and rights.  Third, the obligor can sue the assignee directly if the assignee does not pay him/her.  Following the previous example, this means that C ( obligor ) can sue B ( assignee ) if C teaches guitar to B, but B does not pay C $50 in return.

            (2) Delegation of Duties

If the promised performance requires a rare genius or skill, then the delegee cannot delegate it to the obligor.  It can only be delegated if the promised performance is more commonplace.  Further, an obligee can sue if the assignee does not perform.  However, the delegee is secondarily liable unless there has been an express release of the delegee.  That is, if B does want C to teach guitar but C refuses to, then B can sue C.  If C still refuses to perform, then B can compel A to fulfill the duties under secondary liability.

Lastly, a related concept is novation , which is when a new obligor substitutes and releases an old obligor.  If novation occurs, then the original obligor’s duties are wiped out. However, novation requires an original obligee’s consent .  

Property Law

Under property law, assignment typically arises in landlord-tenant situations.  For example, A might be renting from landlord B but wants to another party (C) to take over the property.   In this scenario, A might be able to choose between assigning and subleasing the property to C.  If assigning , A would be giving C the entire balance of the term, with no reversion to anyone whereas if subleasing , A would be giving C for a limited period of the remaining term.  Significantly, under assignment C would have privity of estate with the landlord while under a sublease, C would not. 

[Last updated in May of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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(1) In Ann Arbor, Detroit and Port Huron, the Clerk shall employ a random method for the assignment of criminal cases to Judges. (2) In Flint, the Clerk shall assign criminal cases to the Judge regularly holding court in Flint. (3) In Bay City, the Clerk shall assign criminal cases to the Judge regularly holding court in Bay City. (4) Assignment of criminal cases to the Chief Judge, to senior Judges, and, in cases of emergency to Judges in active service, shall be as provided by administrative order authorized by the Court.

(b) Reassignment of Criminal Cases.

(1) Cases shall be reassigned only by order of the Court. (2) To promote docket efficiency, or to conform to the requirement of any case management plan adopted by the Court, or upon consent of the parties, or after notice and hearing, or in the interests of justice, the Chief Judge may order a criminal case to be reassigned, but only with the consent of the Judge to whom the case was originally assigned and with the consent of the Judge to whom it is to be reassigned. (3) Reassignment of cases because of a change in judicial personnel shall be in accordance with an administrative order authorized by the Court. (4) Companion Cases. (A) Companion cases are those cases in which it appears that: (i) substantially similar evidence will be offered at trial, or (ii) the same or related parties are present, and the cases arise out of the same transaction or occurrence. Cases may be companion cases even though one of them may have already been terminated.

(B) Counsel, including the United States Attorney, or a party without counsel shall be responsible for bringing such cases to the attention of the Court by responding to the questions included on the criminal case cover sheet.

(C) When it becomes apparent to the Judge to whom a case is assigned and to a Judge having an earlier case number that two cases are companion cases, upon consent of the Judge having the earlier case number, the Judge shall sign an order reassigning the case to the Judge having the earlier case number.

(5) Matters arising from a criminal case assigned to a judge who no longer receives any criminal cases because of death or retirement will be reassigned under LCrR 57.10(a). If a matter is reassigned under this subrule, matters arising in cases of co-defendants in multi-defendant cases will be reassigned to the judge to whom the first matter was reassigned.

(c) Disqualification of Judge.

(1) In Ann Arbor, Detroit and Port Huron, when a Judge to whom a criminal case is assigned is disqualified from hearing it, the Clerk shall reassign the case by random method. (2) In Flint, when a Judge to whom a criminal case is assigned is disqualified from hearing it, the Clerk shall reassign the case in accordance with an administrative order authorized by the Court. (3) In Bay City, when a Judge to whom a case is assigned is disqualified from hearing it, the Clerk shall reassign the case in accordance with an administrative order authorized by the Court.

(d) Superseding Indictments or Informations.

(1) A superseding indictment or information shall be assigned to the Judge to whom the superseded matter was assigned when: (A) it merely corrects errors in names, dates and places, etc., or (B) it is a follow-up to an indictment or information terminated on motion of the government, or (C) it is a follow-up information involving different charges or added counts for purpose of a plea only, or (D) it is a follow-up to an indictment or information embracing the same subject matter terminated by motion of the defendant or on the Court's motion, or (E) it is a follow-up to an indictment or information embracing the same subject matter but containing additional defendants or charges.

(2) The United States Attorney shall attach a cover sheet in a form prescribed by the Clerk's Office to permit assignments according to this Rule.

(3) Superseding indictments and informations shall not be filed in closed cases or cases where the last defendant has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

COMMENT: The "earlier case number" referred to in (b)(4)(C) will mean the earlier case filed as determined by date and time. (12/4/00)

December 1, 2022

• Volume 66 , Issue 1
• January 2014

Reassignment

Toby j. heytens.

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This Article is about something federal courts of appeals have done for more than fifty years and more than 600 times. That something is reassignment, a practice where a reviewing court returns a case to a lower court for further proceedings while also directing that those proceedings be conducted by a different trial court judge. Drawing on an examination of the local rules and informal reassignment practices of every federal circuit and district in the United States, as well as an original dataset of 668 decisions in which reassignment was ordered, this Article represents the first scholarly examination of when reassignment happens, who orders it, and how it is ordered. More broadly, this Article uses reassignment as a means to explore the various ways that appellate courts might seek to control trial court judges and influence trial court outcomes. It also discusses what reassignment can teach us about notions of judicial impartiality and neutrality. Finally, this Article discusses reassignment’s implications for familiar debates about whether legal tests are better expressed through rules or standards and the extent to which it is desirable for judges to give reasons for their decisions.