Court Opinion

ID: 9428724
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 23:24:35.200248+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:15.807256
License: Public Domain

Justice Stevens,
concurring in the judgment.
For the reasons stated by Justice Marshall in Part II of his opinion, I also conclude that MacDonald’s constitutional right to a speedy trial was not suspended during the period between the Army’s dismissal of its charges in 1970 and the return of the civilian indictment in 1975. Justice Marshall also is clearly correct in stating that the question whether the delay was constitutionally unacceptable is “close.” Post, at 21. Since his opinion fairly identifies the countervailing factors, I need only state that the interest in allowing the Government to proceed cautiously and deliberately before making a final decision to prosecute for such a serious offense is of decisive importance for me in this case. I therefore concur in the Court’s judgment.