Opinion ID: 1796666
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: was smith denied his right to a speedy trial?

Text: Our speedy trial statute, Miss. Code Ann. § 99-17-1 (Supp. 1986 & 1988), provides: Unless good cause be shown, and a continuance duly granted by the court, all offenses for which indictments are presented to the court shall be tried no later than two hundred seventy (270) days after the accused has been arraigned. In the instant case, arraignment on the two state charges occurred on May 18, 1987. Trial began on May 25, 1987, only seven days later. Obviously, there was no violation of section 99-17-1. This Court has made it clear, however, that compliance with section 99-17-1 does not necessarily mean that a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial has been respected. Bailey v. State, 463 So.2d 1059, 1062 (Miss. 1985); Perry v. State, 419 So.2d 194 (Miss. 1982). In Perry v. State, supra, 419 So.2d at 198, this Court stated that the constitutional right to a speedy trial, unlike the statutory right under section 99-17-1, attaches at the time of a formal indictment or information, or when a person has been arrested. In short, the constitutional right to a speedy trial attaches when a person has been accused. Beavers v. State, 498 So.2d 788, 789-90 (Miss. 1986); Bailey v. State, supra, 463 So.2d at 1062. Smith's right to a speedy trial attached, then, on May 20, 1986, the date of his arrest. Where a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial has attached, the balancing test set out in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), must be applied to determine whether that right has been denied. The Barker Court identified four factors which are to be considered in making such a determination: (1) the length of the delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) whether the defendant has asserted his right to a speedy trial; and (4) whether the defendant has been prejudiced by the delay. No one of these factors is, in itself, dispositive. Rather, they must be considered together, in light of all the circumstances. Barker, 407 U.S. at 533, 92 S.Ct. at 2193.