Opinion ID: 2086664
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Showing of actual prejudice

Text: Although a presumption of prejudice is created from the length of the delay, actual prejudice may result from any of three factors: (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration; (2) anxiety and concern; and (3) impairment of the defense. See Bailey, 319 Md. at 416-17, 572 A.2d at 555-56. During the period of the delay Divver was on bail. Although his freedom of movement was somewhat restricted, he was not incarcerated. Further, he presented no evidence of any impairment of the defense. These factors weigh heavily in favor of the State. In the opinion in Epps, however, this Court referred to `those personal factors' in denials of speedy trials such as interference with the defendant's liberty, the disruption of his employment, the drain of his financial resources, the curtailment of his associations, his subjection to public obloquy and the creation of anxiety in him, his family and friends. 276 Md. at 116, 345 A.2d at 75. With respect to these factors, the Epps Court quoted the following passage from the concurring opinion of Justice White in Barker where he, joined by Justice Brennan, said: But, for those who desire an early trial, these personal factors should prevail if the only countervailing considerations offered by the State are those connected with crowded dockets and prosecutorial case loads. A defendant desiring a speedy trial, therefore, should have it within some reasonable time; and only special circumstances presenting a more pressing public need with respect to the case itself should suffice to justify delay. Id. (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 537, 92 S.Ct. at 2195, 33 L.Ed.2d at 121 (White, J., concurring)). In Brady v. State, 288 Md. 61, 62, 415 A.2d 1126, 1126-27 (1980), we held that a defendant's speedy trial rights could be violated where there was no showing of any actual prejudice. There the defendant was unaware of the charge pending against him for most of the period of delay. Id. at 62, 415 A.2d at 1126. The defendant was incarcerated, but for an additional crime for which he would have been incarcerated, regardless of the delay. Finding no actual prejudice, the Court of Special Appeals held that there was no violation of the speedy trial right. This Court reversed, saying that the Court of Special Appeals' holding seemed to be that the presumption of prejudice, which arises from a long delay and which triggers the balancing process, either does not arise or is rebutted under the circumstances of this case, namely ignorance of the pending charge and no showing of actual prejudice. Id. at 67, 415 A.2d at 1129. Because in Brady the State conceded that the length of delay from arrest to trial was fourteen months, and that the period was of `constitutional dimension,' this Court remanded the case to the Court of Special Appeals for application of the balancing test in accordance with the principles set forth in [the] opinion. Id. at 70, 415 A.2d at 1130. Accord Henson, 335 Md. at 329, 643 A.2d at 434 (remanding the case to the trial court for a factual finding as to whether the State entered a nolle pros in good faith). On remand, the Court of Special Appeals again held that Brady's right to a speedy trial was not violated principally because he did not demonstrate actual prejudice in that his defense was not damaged by the delay and he had been released on bail. Brady v. State, 46 Md. App. 518, 521, 419 A.2d 390, 391 (1980). Once again, this Court reversed saying: The intermediate court equated or confused actual prejudice ... with presumed prejudice. Its conclusion was that Brady had not been able to show any prejudice, actual or presumed, and that, therefore, he was not entitled to dismissal. There was no mention of whatever offsetting weight the State's neglect played. Brady, 291 Md. at 265-66, 434 A.2d at 576. The actual prejudice factor favors the State, but not overwhelmingly.