Opinion ID: 2074034
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Dismissal of Additional Charge

Text: The defendant contends that trial on the burglary charge over one year after his first arrest violated his right to discharge under Criminal Rule 4(C). He asserts that Criminal Rule 4(C) requires the State to bring a defendant to trial within one year on all charges arising from the same incident. He acknowledges that his motion for continuance waived his right to discharge on the rape and robbery charges. In its relevant portion, Criminal Rule 4(C) provides: No person shall be held on recognizance or otherwise to answer a criminal charge for a period embracing more than one year from the date the criminal charge against such defendant is filed, or from the date of his arrest on such charge, whichever is later; except where a continuance was had on his motion, ... . The defendant urges that criminal charge should be read to mean all charges stemming from a criminal episode. We disagree. The rule establishes time limits within which the State must bring the defendant to trial as to each specific charge. The State brought the defendant to trial on the burglary charge, within three months of his arrest thereon. The defendant's right to discharge under Criminal Rule 4(C) was not violated.