Opinion ID: 1111747
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Speedy Trial Generally

Text: Four factors are balanced in determining whether the defendant received a speedy trial: (1) length of delay, (2) reason for delay, (3) defendant's assertion of the right, (4) prejudice to the defendant. Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2192, 33 L.Ed.2d 101, 117 (1972); Kinzey v. State, 498 So.2d 814, 816 (Miss. 1986); Beavers v. State, 498 So.2d 788, 790 (Miss. 1986). No one of these factors is dispositive; indeed, the totality of the circumstances must be considered. Kinzey, 498 So.2d at 816; Beavers, 498 So.2d at 790; Burgess v. State, 473 So.2d 432, 433 (Miss. 1985); Bailey v. State, 463 So.2d 1059, 1062 (Miss. 1985). The burden for bringing a defendant to trial in a timely manner rests with the state. Perry v. State, 419 So.2d 194, 199 (Miss. 1982); see also Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. at 527-29, 92 S.Ct. at 2190-91, 33 L.Ed.2d at 115-16 (1972); Estrada v. State, 611 P.2d 850, 854 (Wyo. 1980). Where there has been an unreasonable delay, it is therefore incumbent upon the state to prove that the delay in bringing the defendant to trial was reasonable and necessary. Estrada, 611 P.2d at 854; see also State v. Tilly, 737 P.2d 484, 486 (Mont. 1987) (unreasonable delay shifts burden to state to prove reasonableness and lack of prejudice); Hayes v. State, 487 So.2d 987, 992 (Ala.Cr.App. 1986) (prosecution bears burden of justifying delay).