Opinion ID: 2644277
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Length and Responsibility for Delay.

Text: ¶33 A trial delay of longer than 200 days triggers the four factor balancing test in Ariegwe. Ariegwe, ¶ 62. However, the length of delay alone does not amount to a speedy trial violation. We must also consider the reasons for the delay and attribute portions of the delay to certain parties. Ariegwe, ¶ 64. Delay requested by a particular party may be attributable to the other party. State v. Diaz, 2006 MT 303, ¶¶ 32-33, 334 Mont. 479, 148 P.3d 628; Ariegwe, ¶ 66. When the State causes a delay in the trial, we must evaluate whether a valid reason justified the delay. Ariegwe, ¶ 67 (quoting Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 531, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 2192 (1972)). Those delays resulting from the State’s lack of diligence are weighed significantly against the State. Couture, ¶ 72. “Institutional delays” that are inherent in the criminal justice system are valid reasons for delay and we do not weigh those delays heavily against the State. Morsette, ¶ 13. Delay may be attributed to the defendant when the defendant attempts to change counsel, request a continuance, or request mental health evaluations. Morsette, ¶ 14. 11 ¶34 MacGregor was arrested on April 15, 2010. On July 27, 2010, MacGregor gave notice of his defense of mental incapacitation and not having a particular state of mind. That notice referenced § 45-2-203, MCA, providing that intoxication is not a defense to mental state unless the defendant did not knowingly consume an intoxicating substance. MacGregor filed a motion requesting evaluation of his mental state on July 30, and the State moved for the same evaluation at the Montana State Hospital. MacGregor withdrew his motion for evaluation on August 3, and then again filed the motion for psychological evaluation on August 6, noting “I understand this motion may delay trial.” MacGregor returned from evaluation at MSH on November 3, 2010, and on November 15, 2010, a status hearing set a trial date for February 7, 2011. ¶35 The District Court calculated that 314 days had passed between arrest and trial. Of those days, the court found that MacGregor was responsible for a seven-day continuance and the 90-day mental health evaluation at MSH. MacGregor now disputes the assignment of responsibility for the mental health evaluation, as it was requested by the State. We agree with the District Court’s conclusion that the request was a direct response to MacGregor’s intoxication defense and his request for private evaluation. The court also held that the rescheduling of trial dates resulting from the mental health evaluation could also be attributed to MacGregor, amounting to 175 days. This was not in error, as the State had been prepared for trial on the original date and the court was forced to reschedule only as a result of MacGregor’s actions. Finally, the court correctly attributed 131 days to the State as 12 institutional delay resulting from continuances and preparation for trial, as no evidence demonstrated a lack of diligence on the State’s behalf.