Opinion ID: 1834364
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Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was the Defendant Denied a Speedy Trial?

Text: The determination of whether a violation of the right to a speedy trial has occurred begins with a calculation of lapse of time. In order to correctly calculate the time lapses, it is necessary to distinguish between the constitutional and statutory periods for when the right to a speedy trial attaches and time begins running. For constitutional purposes, the right to a speedy trial attaches, and the time begins running, at the time of a formal indictment or information or else the actual restraints imposed by arrest and holding to a criminal charge. Lightsey v. State, 493 So.2d 375, 378 (Miss. 1986). Accord Vickery v. State, 535 So.2d 1371, 1376 (Miss. 1988); Beavers v. State, 498 So.2d 788, 789-91 (Miss. 1986); Perry v. State, 419 So.2d 194, 198 (Miss. 1982). Our most recent case indicates that, for constitutional purposes, the right to a speedy trial attaches and time begins to run with arrest. Smith v. State, 550 So.2d 406, 408 (Miss. 1989). Accordingly, for constitutional speedy trial purposes, time began running against Handley on April 22, 1985, the date of his arrest. Once the constitutional right to a speedy trial has attached, this Court must examine the facts of the case and engage in a functional analysis of those facts in accordance with Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972) to determine whether the constitutional right to a speedy trial has been denied. Vickery v. State, 535 So.2d 1371, 1376 (Miss. 1988); Dedeaux v. State, 519 So.2d 886, 888 (Miss. 1988). This functional analysis requires a three-step process. First, we must calculate the time periods. Second, we must analyze those time periods in light of all circumstances, including the conduct of both the prosecution and the defendant, in conjunction with the Barker factors: (1) length of the delay; (2) reason for the delay; (3) defendant's timely assertion of his right to a speedy trial; and (4) resulting prejudice to the defendant. Vickery, 535 So.2d at 1376. Third, we must weigh each of these factors in light of the particular facts of the case, keeping in mind that it is often impossible to determine with precision when the right has been denied. Barker, 407 U.S. at 521, 92 S.Ct. at 2187. Unlike the constitutional time period which is calculated on an ad hoc basis, Mississippi has prescribed by statute a specific time period during which an accused must be tried: 270 days. Miss.Code.Ann. § 99-17-1. Commonly known as the 270-day rule, the statutory right to a speedy trial attaches with arraignment. See § 99-17-1 (1976); Payne v. State, 363 So.2d 278 (Miss. 1978). Calculation of statutory time requires exclusion of the date of arraignment and inclusion of the date of trial and weekends, unless the last day of the 270 day period falls on Sunday. Ransom v. State, 435 So.2d 1169 (Miss. 1983). Any delays in prosecution attributable to a defendant under either the constitutional or statutory scheme tolls the running of time. Vickery at 1375; Perry at 199. Likewise, any continuances for good cause will toll the running of time unless the record is silent regarding the reason for delay, in which case the clock ticks against the State because the State bears the risk of non-persuasion on the good cause issue. Vickery at 1375, 1377. The statutory 270 day rule is satisfied once the defendant is brought to trial, even if that trial results in a mistrial. Kinzey v. State, 498 So.2d 814, 816 (Miss. 1986); State v. Thornhill, 251 Miss. 718, 723, 171 So.2d 308, 310 (1965). Thereafter, the time of retrial is within the discretion of the trial court. Kinzey 498 So.2d at 816; Thornhill 251 Miss. at 723, 171 So.2d at 310. This Court utilizes the Barker factors in determining whether the discretionary length of time between trials violated the defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial. Kinzey 498 So.2d at 816. In this case we are concerned with the calculation of three (3) time periods: (1) the time between arrest and first actual trial for constitutional purposes; (2) the time between arraignment and first actual trial for statutory purposes; and (3) the time between mistrial and retrial.
In determining whether Handley was denied a speedy trial we must examine the three (3) time periods previously mentioned. We first address the time between arrest and actual trial for constitutional purposes and the time between arraignment and first actual trial for statutory purposes.