Court Opinion

ID: 9642247
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:52:58.193048+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:45.157441
License: Public Domain

WICKERSHAM, Judge,
dissenting:
I dissent because I believe that the majority misconstrues the test contained in Commonwealth v. Mayfield, 469 Pa. 214, 364 A.2d 1345 (1976) for determining whether judicial delay may serve as the basis for an extension of time for trial under Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(c). The majority construes the Mayfield test as requiring a record showing that the judicial delay was unavoidable.1 Because the record in the instant case suggests that the delay in trying Bytheway could have been avoided had the trial court given him priority over other cases, the majority concludes that the Commonwealth failed to meet its burden of proof.
The record before us fails to support the Commonwealth’s contention that the judicial delay was unavoidable, as required by Commonwealth v. Mayfield, supra. Rather, it strongly suggests that the delay could have been avoided and appellee’s trial commenced within 120 days following the withdrawal of his guilty plea.
Maj. op. at 177.
I do not agree.
Mayfield does not require a record showing that the judicial delay was unavoidable but only that the trial court exercised due diligence in its efforts to proceed within the prescribed period. The court stated in Mayfield that:
*158[t]his Court is aware that, despite diligent efforts by the trial courts, cases may arise when a trial of a defendant cannot be held within the prescribed period. In such circumstances, the policies which prompted the adoption of rule 1100 would not be served by disallowing a reasonable, limited extension specifying “the date or period within which trial shall be commenced.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(c). The rule recognizes that “due diligence” is the most that should be demanded from the prosecutor and that if despite such efforts, he cannot prepare for trial within the prescribed period, an extension is permissible. No more rigid result under our present rule is justified when the inability of a trial court to proceed within the prescribed period is at issue.
Commonwealth v. Mayfield, id., 469 Pa. at 220, 364 A.2d at 1348—49.
In the instant case, the Assistant Deputy Court Administrator, Linda M. McGough, testified in great detail concerning the scheduling difficulties that the court encountered in bringing Bytheway to trial, and I believe that the standard of due diligence was met. Commonwealth v. Shelton, 469 Pa. 8, 364 A.2d 694 (1976). Accordingly, I would reverse and remand for trial.

. “Unavoidable” is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary as incapable of being prevented. Black’s Law Dictionary 1366 (5th ed. 1979).