Opinion
828 WDA 2023 J-S13036-24
04-23-2024
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Appellant v. DANIELLE NIEHENKE
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
Appeal from the Order Entered June 19, 2023 In the Court of Common Pleas of Clearfield County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-17-CR-0000989-2021
BEFORE: KUNSELMAN, J., BECK, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E. [*]
JUDGMENT ORDER
KUNSELMAN, J.
The Commonwealth appeals from the order granting dismissal of the criminal case against Danielle Niehenke under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600. After review, this Court agrees with the trial court's opinion, the Commonwealth's argument, and Niehenke's concession that the case was set for trial within the time constraints of Rule 600. We therefore reverse and remand for trial.
Briefly, the Commonwealth filed a criminal complaint against Niehenke on August 19, 2021. Niehenke caused 302 days of pretrial delay. Trial was scheduled to commence on Monday, June 19, 2023. On Friday, June 16, 2023, Niehenke moved to dismiss under Rule 600. The trial court granted the motion. The Commonwealth appealed.
The "adjusted run date" in this case was June 17, 2023-calculated by adding to the complaint date both the 365 days allowed by Rule 600(A)(2)(a) and the 302 days of delay by Niehenke. See generally Commonwealth v. Wiggins, 248 A.3d 1285, 1288-89 (Pa. Super. 2021). Because June 17, 2023, was a Saturday, the Commonwealth had until Monday, June 19, 2023, to bring Niehenke to trial. Commonwealth v. McCarthy, 180 A.3d 368, 376 (Pa. Super. 2018) (applying 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1908, and Pa.R.Crim.P. 600, cmt). This was the date Niehenke was scheduled for trial. We therefore reverse the erroneous dismissal of Niehenke's case under Rule 600.
We commend the candor of the trial court and defense counsel.
Order reversed. Case remanded. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
[*] Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.