Opinion ID: 167470
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Overview of the IADA

Text: The IADA involves 48 states, the federal government, and the District of Columbia. “The rights created by the IADA are statutory, not fundamental or constitutional in nature.” Yellen v. Cooper, 828 F.2d 1471, 1474 (10th Cir. 1987). These protections “are designed to facilitate a defendant’s rehabilitation in prison and to avoid disruptions caused when charges are outstanding against the prisoner -2- in another jurisdiction.” Id. (quotation marks omitted). The IADA “encourage[s] the expeditious and orderly disposition . . . of charges [from other jurisdictions] and the determination of the proper status of any and all detainers based on untried indictments, informations, or complaints.” 18 U.S.C. App. 2, § 2, Art. 1. It prescribes certain procedures to follow when a prisoner is serving a term of imprisonment in a “Sending State,” and criminal charges are filed against the prisoner in another jurisdiction (the “Receiving State”). See id., Art. II(b)-(c). Relevant to this appeal are two IADA provisions. First, Article III of the IADA provides that if the receiving state lodges a detainer against a prisoner in the sending state, the prisoner must be provided a copy of this detainer and advised of his IADA right to be brought to trial in the receiving state within 180 days. Second, the IADA prevents any receiving state from “shuttling” a prisoner between its custody and the sending state. A receiving state must complete a trial on all pending charges against the prisoner before returning him to the sending state’s custody; otherwise, the court in the receiving state must dismiss the pending charges with prejudice. Id., Art. IV(e). Where, as here, the receiving state is the federal government, special provisions apply. A federal court may return a prisoner to the custody of the sending state prior to the federal trial “pursuant to an order” and “after reasonable notice to the prisoner and the United States and an opportunity for a hearing.” Id. -3- § 9(2). Following a hearing, the federal court may dismiss the pending charge with or without prejudice, after considering (1) “the seriousness of the offense,” (2) “the facts and circumstances of the case which led to the dismissal,” and (3) “the impact of a reprosecution on the administration of the agreement on detainers and on the administration of justice.” Id. § 9(1).