Opinion ID: 172534
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Impact of a Reprosecution

Text: We are also convinced that the district judge correctly concluded that the impact of a reprosecution on the administration of the Speedy Trial Act and on the administration of justice supported dismissal of the indictment without prejudice. In determining whether a dismissal with or without prejudice serves the administration of the Speedy Trial Act and of justice, a court should consider, among other factors, whether the delay caused by the Government was intentional and the prejudice suffered by the defendant from the Act's violation. See Abdush-Shakur, 465 F.3d at 463-64; Saltzman, 984 F.2d at 1094; see also Taylor, 487 U.S. at 334, 108 S.Ct. 2413. The defendant has a burden under the Act to show prejudice other than that occasioned by the original filing. Saltzman, 984 F.2d at 1094. As we have observed above, there is no evidence that the Government engaged in intentional dilatory conduct. Further, Mr. Williams has failed to demonstrate sufficient prejudice to require dismissal with prejudice. Mr. Williams's October 7, 2004, indictment alleged two counts of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base. Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A), a person that possesses with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base with two or more prior felony drug convictions faces a mandatory life sentence. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). Further, under 21 U.S.C. § 851(d), the Government is required to file an information with the district judge stating the defendant's prior felony drug convictions before a defendant's sentence can be enhanced under § 841(b)(1)(A). See id. § 851(a)(1). Section 851(d) further provides that [n]o person who stands convicted of an offense under [§ 841] may challenge the validity of any prior conviction alleged under [§ 851] which occurred more than five years before the date of the information alleging such prior conviction. Id. § 851(d). Mr. Williams asserts that he was prejudiced by his inability to challenge the validity of two prior felony drug convictions from 1993 and 1994 that were to be used to enhance his sentence under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). However, the prejudice that a defendant must establish to seek a dismissal with prejudice for a Speedy Trial Act violation must be caused by that violation. See Saltzman, 984 F.2d at 1094 ([T]he defendant has a burden under the [Speedy Trial Act] to show specific prejudice other than that occasioned by the original filing.). Here, even if a trial had been held shortly after the date of the original indictmentOctober 2004he would still not have been able to challenge the validity of either his 1993 or his 1994 conviction. Both convictions would have occurred more than five years before the date the § 851 information would have been filed (presumably after October 2004). Therefore, Mr. Williams's inability to challenge his two prior convictions is irrelevant to the district judge's decision to dismiss his original indictment without prejudice. In sum, on this record we cannot conclude that the district judge abused his discretion by dismissing Mr. Williams's original indictment without prejudice.