46-20-701. Elements of record court considers on review -- errors noticed. (1) Whenever the record on appeal contains any order, ruling, or proceeding of the trial court against the convicted person affecting the convicted person's substantial rights on the appeal of the cause, together with any required objection of the convicted person, the supreme court on that appeal shall consider the orders, rulings, or proceedings and the objections thereto and shall reverse or affirm the cause on the appeal according to the substantial rights of the respective parties, as shown upon the record. A cause may not be reversed by reason of any error committed by the trial court against the convicted person unless the record shows that the error was prejudicial.

(2) Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance that does not affect substantial rights must be disregarded. A claim alleging an error affecting jurisdictional or constitutional rights may not be noticed on appeal if the alleged error was not objected to as provided in 46-20-104, unless the convicted person establishes that the error was prejudicial as to the convicted person's guilt or punishment and that:

(a) the right asserted in the claim did not exist at the time of the trial and has been determined to be retroactive in its application;

(b) the prosecutor, the judge, or a law enforcement agency suppressed evidence from the convicted person or the convicted person's attorney that prevented the claim from being raised and disposed of; or

(c) material and controlling facts upon which the claim is predicated were not known to the convicted person or the convicted person's attorney and could not have been ascertained by the exercise of reasonable diligence.

History: (1)En. 95-2412 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-2412; (2)En. 95-2425 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-2425; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 319, L. 1983; Sec. 46-20-702, MCA 1985; redes. 46-20-701(2) by Code Commissioner, 1987; amd. Sec. 202, Ch. 42, L. 1997.