Opinion ID: 77674
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Defendant's Motion to Stay Trial

Text: 26 The Appellant moved to stay the proceedings against him under 28 U.S.C. § 1867 on the day that his trial was to begin, alleging substantial failure to comply with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1867(a) in selecting the grand and/or petit jury. Section 1867 of Title 28 of the United States Code provides in pertinent part that: 27 (a) In criminal cases, before the voir dire examination begins, or within seven days after the defendant discovered or could have discovered, by the exercise of diligence, the grounds therefor, whichever is earlier, the defendant may move to dismiss the indictment or stay the proceedings against him on the ground of substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this title in selecting the grand or petit jury. 28 (d) Upon motion filed under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, containing a sworn statement of facts which, if true, would constitute a substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this title, the moving party shall be entitled to present in support of such motion the testimony of the jury commission or clerk, if available, any relevant records and papers not public or otherwise available used by the jury commissioner or clerk, and any other relevant evidence. If the court determines that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this title in selecting the grand jury, the court shall stay the proceedings pending the selection of a grand jury in conformity with this title or dismiss the indictment, whichever is appropriate. If the court determines that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this title in selecting the petit jury, the court shall stay the proceedings pending the selection of a petit jury in conformity with this title. 29 28 U.S.C. § 1867(a) and (d). Thus, the Jury Selection and Service Act sets two requirements for motions to stay proceedings: a timeliness requirement under § 1867(a) and a sworn statement requirement under § 1867(d). 30 The grand jury returned an indictment against Dean on March 17, 2005, however, Dean did not file his motion to stay the proceedings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1867(a) until the first day of trial, December 5, 2005. Although, he filed his motion before voir dire began, the Act authorizes defendants to file a motion for a stay before voir dire,  or within seven days of when they discover or could have discovered grounds for challenging the jury selection process, whichever is earlier. Obviously, in this case, the earlier date would have been well before voir dire. 31 As the district court noted during oral arguments on the motion, Dean could have requested a transcript of the grand jury selection process after the Grand Jury returned its indictment against him on March 17, 2005. If he had done so, the court advised, he could have determined whether the court asked the jurors about their citizenship, length of residency within the northern district of Florida, and their English language skills. Dean cited these points as grounds for questioning the composition of the jury. 32 Because he did not try to inspect the grand jury list and jury qualification questionnaires within seven days of his indictment, the date on which he could have discovered if there were grounds for a challenge, he failed to meet the deadline for filing a motion to stay under 28 U.S.C. § 1867(a). Courts are to construe the timeliness requirement strictly as failure to comply with the requirement forecloses a challenge under the Act. Paradies, 98 F.3d at 1277 (11th Cir. 1996) (citing United States v. Bearden, 659 F.2d 590, 595 (5th Cir. 1981), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 936, 102 S.Ct. 1993, 72 L.Ed.2d 456 (1982)). 33 Moreover, 28 U.S.C. § 1867(d) mandates that all motions challenging compliance with the Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968 must be supported by a sworn statement of facts, which, if true, would constitute a substantial failure to comply with the Act. United States v. Aguirre, 108 F.3d 1284, 1287 (10th Cir. 1997). These procedural requirements are strictly enforced so that the district court has an opportunity to evaluate the alleged noncompliance and to correct it before precious judicial resources are invested in a trial. United States v. Contreras, 108 F.3d 1255, 1266 (10th Cir. 1997) (citing United States v. Kennedy, 548 F.2d 608, 612-14 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 865, 98 S.Ct. 199, 54 L.Ed.2d 140 (1977)). 34 Dean failed to attach a sworn statement of the facts to support his allegation that there was a substantial failure to follow the District Jury Plan for selecting eligible jurors. Accordingly, his motion to stay the proceedings fails to meet the requirements under § 1867(d) and is barred on procedural grounds. We need not reach the merits of his motion. 2 35