Opinion ID: 2598371
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Time for Trial Objection

Text: A defendant who objects to the date of arraignment because it is untimely must do so at the time of arraignment. CrR 3.3(e). Failure to object is considered a waiver and the actual date of arraignment is used to calculate the time for trial deadline. Id. However, if the objection is timely, the constructive arraignment date, 14 days from the filing of the information, is used to determine the time for trial deadline. CrR 3.3(c)(4), (e). The purpose of requiring an objection to the arraignment date at the actual arraignment is to notify the trial court of an alleged error and to allow the court to schedule a timely trial date, if possible. Greenwood, 120 Wash.2d at 606, 845 P.2d 971. If a defendant is arraigned after the time for trial has expired, he or she may later object because objection at the actual arraignment would not assist the court in remedying the error. Id. Swenson was arraigned on the Jefferson County charges on March 9, 2000. He did not object to his arraignment date or file a motion to dismiss the charges based on time for trial violations until March 16, 2000. The Court of Appeals determined that, by not objecting to the arraignment date on March 9, 2000, Swenson waived any objection to the arraignment, pursuant to CrR 3.3(e). Swenson, 113 Wash.App. 1022, 2002 WL 31521200, at . Whether Swenson waived his objection to the arraignment date turns on whether the State acted with good faith and due diligence. If there was no good faith and due diligence, Swenson's time for trial deadline expired on January 26, 2000, and his objection was proper, even though made after his actual arraignment date. If there was good faith and due diligence, the trial deadline was extended and he needed to object at his arraignment.