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SCOTUS to review speedy trial issue

By Gideon

From the Cook County Public Defenders Blog: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear, and will most certainly overrule, and odd decision of the Vermont Supreme Court dismissing a conviction on speedy trial grounds because of delays attributed solely to the defendant?s public defenders.  The Court reasoned that the public defenders were State actors and the defendant should therefore receive the benefit of a speedy trial bar to prosecution by the State.  Read the decision from the State Supreme court by clicking  Vermont v. Brillon . Here are the issues as described by the U. S. Supreme Court: 1. Whether continuances and delays caused solely by an indigent defendant?s public defender can arise to a speedy trial right violation, and be charged against the State pursuant to the test in Barker v...continue to full post

Full post as published by Public Defender Stuff on October 14, 2008 (boomark / email).