Document: 407 U.S. 514 92 S.Ct. 2182 33 L.Ed.2d 101 Willie Mae BARKER, Petitioner,v.John W. WINGO, Warden. No. 71—5255. Argued April 11, 1972. Decided June 22, Syllabus Petitioner was not brought to trial for murder until more than five years after he had been arrested, during which time the prosecution obtained numerous continuances, initially purpose of first trying petitioner's alleged accomplice so that his testimony, if conviction resulted, would be available at trial. Before finally convicted, tried six times. made no objection continuances three and one-half arrested. After petitioner, further delays because a key witness' illness, convicted. In this habeas corpus proceeding Court Appeals, concluding petitioner waived right speedy period prior demand trial, in any event prejudiced by delay, affirmed District Court's judgment against petitioner. Held: A defendant's constitutional cannot established inflexible rule but can determined only on an ad hoc balancing basis, conduct defendant are weighed. The court should assess such factors as length reason assertion right, prejudice defendant. case lack serious fact, disclosed record, did want outweigh opposing considerations compel conclusion deprived due process Pp. 519—536. 442 F.2d 1141, affirmed. James E. Milliman, Cincinnati, Ohio, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Page 515 Robert Willmott, Jr., Asst. Atty. Gen., Frankfort, Ky., respondent, djQ Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Although is guaranteed accused Sixth Amendment Constitution,1 has dealt with infrequent occasions. See Beavers v. Haubert, 198 77, 25 573, 49 L.Ed. 950 (1905); Pollard United States, 352 354, 77 481, 1 393 (1957); States Ewell, 383 116, 86 773, 15 627 (1966); Marion, 404 307, 455, 30 468 (1971). also Provoo, 17 F.R.D. 183 (D.Md.), aff'd, 350 857, 76 101, 100 761 (1955). Kloper North Carolina, 386 213, 87 988, 18 (1967), 'fundamental' imposed Due Process Clause Fourteenth States.2 Smith Hooey, 374, 89 575, 21 607 (1969); Dickey Florida, 398 30, 90 1564, 26 (1970). As Brennan 516 pointed out concurring Dickey, none these cases have we attempted set criteria judged. U.s., 40—41, 1570. This compels us make attempt. I On July 20, 1958, Christian County, Kentucky, elderly couple beaten death intruders wielding iron tire tool. Two suspects, Silas Manning Barker, were arrested shortly thereafter. grand jury indicted them September 15. Counsel appointed 17, Barker's October 21. Commonwealth stronger Manning, it believed Barker could convicted unless testified him. naturally unwilling incriminate himself. Accordingly, 23, day sought what series 16 trial.3 objection. By convicting remove possible problems self-incrimination able assure testimony Barker. encountered few difficulties its Manning. ended hung jury. second resulted conviction, Kentucky Appeals reversed admission evidence illegal search. Commonwealth, 328 S.W.2d 421 (1959). At third again 2 517 granted change venue. 346 755 (1961). fourth Finally, trials, March 1962, murdering one victim, sixth December other.4 County Circuit holds terms each year—in February, June, September. initial take place term 1958. continuance postponed February 1959 term. month only. Every thereafter long prosecutions process, routinely moved continue next When continued from following September, having spent 10 months jail, release posting $5,000 bond. He remained free community objection, through counsel, 11 continuances. 12, twelfth term, counsel filed motion dismiss indictment. denied two weeks later, Commonwealth's granted. 1962 object. 1963, Manning's final 19. But scheduled It gave illness 3 518 ex-sheriff who chief investigating officer case. To continuance, objected unsuccessfully. witness still unable testify 19, over announced dismissed date 9, 1963. date, indictment, specified violated.5 denied; commenced witness; given life sentence. appealed relying part claim. 385 671 (1964). 1970 petitioned Western Kentucky. rejected petition without holding hearing, appeal forma pauperis certificate probable cause appeal. appeal, 1141 ruled claim entire before delay filing dismiss. belief mistaken, record re- 4 519 veals 1962. conceded oral argument Court.6 held remaining raised trial—which thought eight actually 20 months—was unduly long. addition, shown resulting prejudice, exsheriff valid justification delay. We certiorari. 1037, 719, 729 (1972). II generically different other rights enshrined Constitution protection accused. addition general concern all persons treated according decent fair procedures, there societal interest providing exists separate from, times opposition to, interests inability courts provide prompt contributed large backlog urban which, among things, enables defendants negotiate effectively pleas guilty lesser offenses otherwise manipulate system.7 released bond lengthy periods awaiting opportunity commit crimes.8 must little comfort residents know bail four while vicious 5 520 brutal ultimately Moreover, longer tempting becomes jump escape.9 between arrest punishment may detrimental effect rehabilitation.10 If bail, generally confined, months, local jail. contributes overcrowding deplorable state those institutions.11 Lengthy exposure conditions 'has destructive human character makes rehabilitation individual offender much difficult.'12 result even violent rioting.13 pretrial detention costly. cost maintaining prisoner jail varies $3 $9 per day, amounts millions across 6 521 Nation.14 society loses wages might earned, often support families incarcerated breadwinners. difference accused's deprivation work advantage. Delay uncommon defense tactic. commission crime lengthens, witnesses become unavailable or their memories fade. prosecution, will weakened, sometimes seriously so. And carries burden proof. Thus, unlike compelled self-in-crimination, does se ability defend perhaps most importantly, vague concept procedural rights. is, example, impossible determine precision when denied. definitely say how too system where justice supposed swift deliberate.15 consequence, fixed point criminal State put choice either exercising waiving If, moves 7 522 60-day granting violation circumstances endanger values protects. do generalize about exist. There nothing comparable exercises waives recognized supra, inquiry into necessitates functional analysis particular context case: 'The necessarily relative. consistent depends upon circumstances. secures preclude public justice.' 87, 576, 950. amorphous quality leads unsatisfactorily severe remedy dismissal indictment deprived. indeed consequence means go free, tried. Such exclusionary reversal new trial,16 remedy. III Perhaps slippery, rigid approaches urged ways eliminating some uncertainty ex- 8 523 perience protecting right. suggestion hold requires offered within period. ruling virtue clarifying infringed simplifying courts' application it. Recognizing this, legislatures enacted laws, adopted rules narrowly define right.17 Second promulgated district establishing government ready arrest, except unusual circumstances, charge dismissed.18 type recommended American Bar Association.19 require engage legislative rulemaking activity, rather adjudicative confine our efforts. establish mandated Constitution. find basis quantified number days months. course, prescribe reasonable standards, approach less precise. suggested alternative restrict con- 9 524 sideration demanded Most loosely referred 'demand rule,'20 although reject it.21 clear, however, precisely meant every federal appeals considered question endorsed kind rule, regarded waiver,22 whereas others viewed factor weighed 525 assessing whether right.23 shall refer former demand-waiver doctrine. demandwaiver doctrine provides consideration Under approach, necessary condition essentially took below. presuming waiver fundamental right24 inaction, inconsistent pronouncements defined 'an intentional relinquishment abandonment known privilege.' Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 464, 58 1019, 1023, 82 1461 (1938). Courts 'indulge presumption waiver,' Aetna Ins. Co. Kennedy, 301 389, 393, 57 809, 812, 81 1177 (1937), they 'not presume acqui- 526 escence loss rights,' Ohio Bell Tel. Public Utilities Comm'n, 292, 724, 731, 1093 (1937). Carnley Cochran, 369 506, 884, 70 (1962), held: 'Presuming silent impermissible. show, allegation intelligently understandably offer. Anything waiver.' Id., 516, S.Ct., 890. similarly respect designed protect See, e.g., Miranda Arizona, 384 436, 475—476, 1602, 1628—1627, 694 Boykin Alabama, 395 238, 1709, 23 274 (1969). excepting applied rights, relied assumption usually works benefit absence readily ascertainable true benefits appreciably harms himself.25 12 527 confined obviously disadvantaged lead normal suspicion own anxiety. nature pinpoint precise asserted waived, fact argue placing solely defendants. duty bring himself trial;26 well insuring process.27 reasons earlier expressed, bringing prosecutions, society's representatives ones interest. noteworthy view places awkward position. Unless demands early often, danger frustrating client's willing tolerate finds helpful preparing case, obtain client end time. Since under 13 528 runs made, whatever reasonabel made. jurisdiction prescribes six-month total nine months—which wholly unreasonable practice likely automatic, immediately appointment tolerated. defendants, society, reject, therefore, fails forever right.28 mean, responsibility assert think better failure formulation avoids rigidities unfairness application. allows 14 529 exercise judicial discretion based including applicable formal rule. permit, attach weight situation knowingly object attorney acquiesces adequately informing client, appointed. allow weigh frequency force objections opposed attaching significant purely claim, depart holdings concerning placed show claimed voluntarily involved exercised specific clearly identifiable plead guilty, privilege self-incrimination, assistance counsel. above unique deemed waived. announce today, comports principles, primary prosecutors hardly need add attributable defendant, then standard doctrine, aside. We, both approaches—the fixed-time goes requires; insensitive 530 fundamental. accept test, weighed.29 IV test basis. identify determining Though express ways, factors: Length defendant.30 extent triggering mechanism. Until presumptively prejudicial, necessity balance. Nevertheless, imprecision provoke dependent pecu- 531 liar case.31 tolerated ordinary street considerably serious, complex conspiracy charge. Closely related assigns justify Here, too, weights assigned reasons. deliberate attempt order hamper weighted heavily government.32 neutral negligence overcrowded nevertheless since ultimate rest reason, missing witness, serve appropriate already discussed factor, Whether asserts closely mentioned. strength efforts affected particularly personal always identifiable, experiences. deprivation, complain. then, entitled strong evidentiary 532 being emphasize difficult prove Prejudice, assessed light protect. identified interests: (i) prevent oppressive incarceration; (ii) minimize anxiety accused; (iii) limit possibility impaired.33 Of these, last, prepare skews fairness system. die disappear obvious. recall accurately events distant past. Loss memory, reflected forgotten rarely shown. previously disadvantages incarceration, serious. impact individual. job; disrupts family life; enforces idleness. jails offer recreational rehabilitative programs.34 533 simply dead locked up, hindered gather evidence, contact witnesses, defense.35 Imposing consequences anyone yet especially unfortunate impose found innocent. restraints liberty living cloud anxiety, suspicion, hostility. cited n. 33, supra. regard sufficient finding Rather, together relevant. sum, talismanic qualities; sensitive process.36 But, dealing accused, carried full recognition specifically V difficulty task illustrated consider close. clear trial—well years—was extraordinary. Only 19 534 seven attributed excuse, investigation. permissible utilized period, good try comported process. counterbalancing factors, deficiencies. minimal. spend died became owing transcript indicates very minor lapses memory—one witness—which way outcome. More important represented him throughout No competency counsel.37 Despite notice motions continuances,38 shows action taken 21, construed latter response another 535 ground based, immediate Instead strongly suggests hoped advantage acquiesced, thereby charges, argument: 'Your honor, concede probably don't fact—probably man wants liability behalf. blame him.' Tr. Oral Arg. 39. attitude gambling acquittal. reversals juries suggest, undoubtedly acquitted, never this: 'Now, it's Kentucky's desire secure accomplice, this. 15.39 536 That acquittal failure, Indeed, convictions final, lost gamble, began time, excuse ex-sheriff, justified delay.40 grounds failed incompetent severely prejudiced, ex parte. barring extraordinary reluctant indicates, one, hold, Affirmed. WHITE, whom BRENNAN joins, concurring. rejects affirms denial corpus, 22 537 apparent acquiesced major otherwise. From view, fortunate postponements requests Because broadly assays going judgments provision, purposes provision guard inordinate aside merits, 'seriously interfere liberty, not, disrupt employment, drain financial resources, curtail associations, subject obloquy, create him, friends.' 320, 463, These others, inevitably present extent, pending substantial restrictions liberty. many believe side prefer suffer entail. prevail countervailing connected crowded dockets prosecutorial loads. desiring time; presenting pressing itself suffice inevitable 538 '(T)he evils protected guarantee exist quite apart actual defense.' 963. differ themselves allowable permit run-of-the-mill asserting resources provided State's criminal-justice limited await turn. points out, subverts goals seeking enforce laws. provides: 'In enjoy impartial wherein committed, ascertained law, informed accusation; confronted him; compulsory obtaining Witnesses favor, Assistance defense.'2.'We here secured Amendment.' U.S., 223, 993. explanation why, begun. Apparently chose convictions. written 1959. reflect dismiss, 1963 33.7 Report President's Commission Crime Columbia 256 (1966).8 Washington, D.C., 1968, 70.1% robbery re-arrested bail. Mitchell, Bail Reform Constitutionality Pretrial Detention, 55 Va.L.Rev. 1223, 1236 (1969), citing Judicial Council Committee Study Operation Act 20—21 increasing. Annual Director Administrative Office Courts, 1971, p. 321.10 '(I)t desirable follow offence possible; impression minds men weakened distance, and, besides, distance adds punishment, affording chances escape.' J. Bentham, Theory Legislation 326 (Ogden ed. 1931).11 Establish Justice, Insure Domestic Tranquility, Final National Causes Prevention Violence 152 (1969).12 Testimony V. Bennett, Director, Bureau Prisons, Hearings Federal Procedures Subcommittee Constitutional Rights Improvements Machinery Senate Judiciary, 88th Cong., 2d Sess., 46 (1964).13 E.g., 'Tombs' riots New York City 1970. N.Y. Times, Oct. 3, 1970, 1, col. 8. Challenge Free Society, Law Enforcement Administration 131 (1967).15 '(I)n measure safeguards procedures move pace. requirement speed deleterious itself.' 120, 776, (1966). White noted 121, 777, overzealous infringe 'the people crime, immunization legal error. ..' For examples, see Association Project Standards Criminal Speedy Trial 14—16 (Approved Draft 1968); Note, Right Trial, Col.L.Rev. 846, 863 (1957).18 Rules Regarding Prompt Disposition Cases (1971).19 ABA Project, 14. example proposed statutory Lagging 51 1587, 1619, (1965). Pines Woodbury 233 Iowa 1284, N.W.2d 574 (1943). (Criminal 853 1601—1602 (1965).21 Maldonado, Ariz. 70, 373 P.2d 583 (en banc), cert. denied, 371 928, 83 299, 236 (1962); Hicks People, 148 Colo. 26, 364 877 (1961) banc); People Prosser, 309 353, 130 N.E.2d 891 (1955); Zehrlaut State, 230 Ind. 175, 102 203 (1951); Flanary 184 Va. 204, 35 S.E.2d 135 (1945); Ex parte Chalfant, W.Va. 93, 93 S.E. 1032 (1917); Hess, 180 Kan. 472, 474 (1956); Dodson, 226 Or. 360 782 Vawter, 85, 915 (1963).22 Hill, 310 601 (CA4 1962); Bruce 351 318 (CA5 1965), 921, 1370, 553 Perez, 658 (CA7 1968), 1080, 851, 772 Pietch 110 817 (CA10), 648, 60 1100, 84 1414 (1940); 118 U.S.App.D.C. 38, 331 784 (1964) banc). below demonstrates Takes similar approach. 'As indication importance attached knew though demand, th stating recognize Eighth Ninth Circuits seems despite Bandy 408 (CA8 1969) (a purposeful overcome demand); Moser 381 363 (CA9 1967) (despite balanced considerations). Circuit's unclear. strictly waiver. DeMasi, 445 251 cases, seemed claims demand. rel. Solomon Mancusi, 412 88, 396 936, 269, 24 Certainly rigid. Mann, 291 F.Supp. 268 (SDNY Dillon, 541 1960). First Compare Butler, 426 1275 (1970), Needel Scafati, 761, 861, 133, 113 (1969).24 2, 'If deliberately by-passes procedure strategic, tactical, judge deny relief by-passing presupposes inherently state. Consequently, presumed silence inaction equally mean unaware demand.' 1610 (1965) (footnotes omitted). Chief Burger wrote Florida: 'Although great seek off confrontation possible, charges charging authority trial.' 37—38, 1569, (footnote omitted).27 circuit judge, Blackmun wrote: matter, expeditious cases. promptness defense. 'a . trial's constitutionally such, honored vigilant knowledgeable.' Hodges 543, 551 1969). 28 rule: 'One position situations, unfair Jurisdictions faced continuing problem defining exceptions, uniformity important, disposition (T)he unreasonably delayed merely best charge.' 17. 29 Nothing said interpreted disapproving presumptive supervisory powers establishes normally brought. 18, supra.30 Simmons, 338 804, 807 (CA2 1964), 380 983, 85 1352, 276 (1965); Stan.L.Rev. 476, 478 (1968). consideration: source it, 48, 1574. included cause-of-delay category, relevant primarily prejudicial effects. 12. essence, adopt today. slightly 31 overly long, absent depended eyewitness testimony. 1275, 1277 (1970).32 indicated previous occasions improper intentionally 'to gain tactical (defendants) harass them.' 325, 466, 361, 485—486, (1957). 776; 377—378, 576—577, Klopfer 221—222, 992—993, subjected scorn, chilled speak for, associate with, participate unpopular political causes.34 statistical detained receive prison sentences release, bear correlation. Wald, Detention Ultimate Freedom: Statistrical Study, 39 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 631 (1964).36 issue approached, Judge Frankel's excellent 1968). 37 39.38 4. Hindsight 20/20, help noting persistently successful, acquitted crucial Cmmonwealth's anticipated outset, four-year decision gamble prudent 40 argument, stated: 'That sheriff, material ill; yes. October, explain that.' 19—20.

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