Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(c) specifically provides that the indictment or the information need not contain a "formal commencement," or a "formal conclusion," or any other matter not necessary to a plain, concise, and definite statement of the essential facts of the charge. The caption is not a part of the body of the indictment and erroneous information contained in the caption will not affect the validity of the indictment. See United States v. Rodriguez-Garcia, 983 F.2d 1563, 1570 (10th Cir. 1993); Stillman v. United States, 177 F.2d 607 (9th Cir. 1949).
Updated January 22, 2020