Opinion ID: 1898581
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motions and Requests for Continuances

Text: As we have shown, Smith was advised on May 15, 1964, that he would be arraigned on June 5, 1964, and that counsel would be appointed to represent him upon arraignment and at his trial. Counsel was appointed on May 22, 1964, two weeks prior to the date set for arraignment. On June 5, 1964, the day set for arraignment, counsel for Smith advised the court that We are not ready for arraignment in that the defense wished to obtain a report made by Investigator Gatlin before pleading to the indictment. As we will hereinafter show, the defense was not entitled to that report. It is true that counsel for a defendant should have ample time to consider what action to take on arraignment. However, the record before us does not show that prejudice resulted from the action of the court refusing to postpone the arraignment. Also, on June 5, 1964, the day set for arraignment, counsel for Smith moved that the trial of the case not be held during the week of July 6, 1964, in that counsel for Smith would not have adequate time in which to prepare the defense. Reversible error is not made to appear in the action of the trial court denying that motion. Peterson v. State, 231 Ala. 625, 166 So. 20; Knight v. State, 273 Ala. 480, 142 So.2d 899. When the case was called for trial on Monday, July 6, 1964, counsel for Smith requested that the trial be continued until Thursday, July 9, 1964. This request was granted. On Wednesday, July 8, 1964, and on July 9, 1964, there were other motions for continuance, the grounds of which were in essence that counsel had not sufficient time in which to prepare and make defense and locate certain persons. Such motions are addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and the exercise thereof is not subject to review except for gross abuse. Logan v. State, 251 Ala. 441, 37 So.2d 753; Pugh v. State, 247 Ala. 535, 25 So.2d 417; Green v. State, 252 Ala. 513, 41 So.2d 566; Divine v. State, 279 Ala. 291, 184 So.2d 628. A review of the record discloses no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court in denying the motions or requests for continuance.