Opinion ID: 2353930
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Waiver by the Defendant

Text: In general, the right to a speedy trial is waived unless it is asserted promptly. Mathies v. United States, 374 F.2d 312, 314 n. 1 (D.C.Cir.1967); James v. United States, 104 U.S.App.D.C. 263, 261 F.2d 381 (1958). In Hedgepeth I, supra, it was, however, suggested that since the government has the responsibility to bring a case to trial, it may not `sit back' and then argue that defendant's inaction conclusively waived his right to a speedy trial, but the court there could not find the delay arbitrary, purposeful, oppressive or vexatious, [16] and, therefore, affirmed the conviction on the merits after a year's delay. We are of the opinion that, absent a prompt assertion of the right, a speedy trial challenge will not be recognized on appeal unless defendant has suffered actual prejudice caused by the delaying tactics of the government. In case of doubt as to the existence of prejudice, the proper means for exploring that issue is by appropriate motion in the trial court.