Opinion ID: 153893
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pretrial Release

Text: Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(C), the judicial officer shall - 25 - hold a detention hearing upon motion by the government in a case that involves an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et. seq. “The hearing shall be held immediately upon the person’s first appearance before the judicial officer unless that person, or the attorney for the Government, seeks a continuance.” 21 U.S.C. § 3142(f). The district court failed to hold a pretrial detention hearing in a timely manner.5 While the failure to provide Meyers with the hearing demanded by the statute is unfortunate, it is not a sufficient reason to require mandatory release of the defendant. United States v. Montalvo-Murillo, 495 U.S. 711 (1990). By the same token, it is not a sufficient justification to reverse Meyers’ otherwise valid convictions. See also United States v. Rivera, 837 F.2d 906, 925 (10th Cir. 1988), vacated, 900 F.2d 1462 (10th Cir. 1990) (failure of the district court to comply with statutory requirements is not sufficient reason to dismiss all charges). The district court erred in failing to timely address Meyers’ pretrial release motions. However, because Meyers was convicted on both counts, the error was harmless and the issue is now moot. See 5 The district court was untimely because (1) it did not hold a detention hearing within five days of Meyers’ initial appearance in its court, see 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f), and (2) if Meyers’ motions for a pretrial release are construed as “appeals” of the Colorado magistrate judge’s denial of bond, the motions were not determined promptly as required by 18 U.S.C. § 3145(b). - 26 - Montalvo-Murillo, 495 U.S. at 722 (harmless error analysis applies to § 3142 review).