NCJ Number
61544
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AMENDMENTS TO THE SPEEDY TRIAL ACT OF 1974, AS APPROVED ON AUGUST 2, 1979, ARE PRESENTED; 18 USE SECTIONS 3161 THROUGH 3174, ARE AFFECTED BY THE LEGISLATION.
Abstract
SECTION 3161(C) IS AMENDED TO READ, 'IN ANY CASE IN WHICH A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY IS ENTERED, THE TRIAL OF A DEFENDANT CHARGED IN AN INFORMATION OR INDICTMENT WITH THE COMMISSION OF AN OFFENSE SHALL COMMENCE WITHIN SEVENTY DAYS FROM THE FILING DATE (AND MAKING PUBLIC) OF THE INFORMATION OR INDICTMENT, OR FROM THE DATE THE DEFENDANT HAS APPEARED BEFORE A JUDICIAL OFFICER OF THE COURT IN WHICH SUCH CHARGE IS PENDING, WHICHEVER DATE LAST OCCURS'. IF A DEFENDANT CONSENTS IN WRITING TO BE TRIED BEFORE A MAGISTRATE ON A COMPLAINT, THE TRIAL MUST COMMENCE WITHIN THE FOLLOWING 70 DAYS. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 3161(H) PERTAINING TRIAL DELAYS AND THEIR EXCLUSION IN COMPUTATION OF TIME LIMITS. ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO THIS SECTION DEAL WITH CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING A CONTINUANCE, SUCH AS COMPLEXITY OF THE CASE OR AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS. SECTION 3163(C), IS AMENDED TO READ, 'SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3174(C), SECTION 3162 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND APPLY TO ALL CASES COMMENCED BY ARREST OR SUMMONS, AND ALL INFORMATIONS OR INDICTMENTS FILED, ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1980.' OTHER AMENDMENTS AFFECT SECTIONS REGARDING PERSONS DETAINED OR DESIGNATED AS BEING HIGH RISK, EFFECTIVE DATES OF TRIALS, IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES, REPORTS TO CONGRESS, CIVIL CASES, AND JUDICIAL EMERGENCY AND IMPLEMENTATION. (LWM)