Title: Dirickson v. State

State: arkansas

Issuer: Arkansas Supreme Court

Document:

Albert DIRICKSON v. STATE of Arkansas

CR 97-224                                          ___ S.W.2d ___

                    Supreme Court of Arkansas
              Opinion delivered September 25, 1997


1.   Criminal procedure -- continuance -- trial court's discretion
     -- factors considered. -- The grant or denial of a continuance
     is within the sound discretion of the trial court, and the
     decision will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion
     amounting to a denial of justice; the following factors are to
     be considered by the trial court in deciding a continuance
     motion: (1) the diligence of the movant; (2) the probable
     effect of the testimony at trial; (3) the likelihood of
     procuring the attendance of the witness in the event of a
     postponement; and (4) the filing of an affidavit, stating not
     only what facts the witness would prove, but also that the
     appellant believes them to be true. 

2.   Trial -- defendant using insanity defense entitled to access
     to competent psychiatrist -- defendant's right to examination
     protected by state hospital examination -- appellant's
     examination at state hospital sufficient. -- In Ake v.
     Oklahoma,