Court Opinion

ID: 9713317
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:13:11.976567+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:18.121155
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, Judge,
dissenting.
It may be, as the majority observes, that “it is unrealistic to expect a criminal court judge to be cognizant of the mathematical and chronological status of each case in relation to all others pending ...” Maj.op. at 439. Nevertheless, someone in a position of responsibility must take such steps as are necessary to assure defendants of their speedy trial rights. Whether that be the State in the person of the prosecutor, or the court in the person of an administrator, or other person utilizing modern and systematic technological assistance, the fact remains that it must be done. It is not the obligation of the defendant to monitor and schedule the court’s trial calendar. It is the court’s function to protect the right to speedy trial. Simpson v. State (1975) 3rd Dist., 165 Ind.App. 285, 332 N.E.2d 112. The right to • speedy trial exists. Unless constitutional interpretation changes or unless Criminal Rule 4 is changed, the judicial branch must conduct its business in an efficient fair manner. It will not suffice to say that such requirements are burdensome to judges.
The majority errs in rejecting Raber v. State (1993) 1st Dist.Ind.App., 622 N.E.2d 541. The practical difficulties in requiring trial courts to document reasons for trial continuances are minimal at best. When a trial court enters an order continuing a scheduled trial it is not unduly burdensome for that court to add a sentence or two setting forth the nature of the court congestion which dictates the continuance.
In any event, it would appear that on each .date upon which State v. Bridwell was scheduled for trial but was continued for “court congestion”, a different case, which also had been set for trial on the same date, was commenced. Although the “congested calendar” orders in this case do not indicate that the various new trial settings were anything other than first choice settings, the strong impEcation is to the contrary. Otherwise it is doubtful that the other cases would have beén tried in preference to State v. Bridwell. It would seem logically unassailable that a setting less than a first choice setting cannot afford avoidance of the speedy trial time constraints by resort to the “court congestion” exception of Crim.Rule 4(C). To reason otherwise would permit a particular defendant to be scheduled for trial countless times as a fifth choice setting. In such instance cause for a “court congestion” continuance would be virtually assured. Any postponement of a case scheduled for trial lower than a first choice setting does not qualify as a “court congestion” cause for continuance. Any such delay may not be attributed to the defendant. The speedy trial time period is not toUed during any such delay.
I do not assume that Bridwell’s case was rescheduled for less than a first choice setting; but neither may I assume that the various settings, or any one of them, was as a first choice setting. Accordingly, the rationale of Raber v. State is particularly applicable here.
*441I would hold this appeal in abeyance and would remand to the trial court to make written findings as to each “court congestion” trial setting continuance and to certify such findings to this court; or in the alternative to order the defendant discharged.