Opinion
Case No. 4:11-CR-00223-BLW
11-17-2011
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. DAVID DUANE GEISSER, D efendant.
ORDER
The Court has before it Defendant's Motion to Continue Trial (Dkt. 13). Defense counsel explains that he needs additional time to investigate the charges in the Indictment and prepare for trial. The Government does not oppose the motion.
Under all these circumstances, the Court finds that a continuance is needed to give defense counsel an opportunity to provide an effective defense. Thus, a continuance is warranted under 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(iv), which authorizes a finding of excludable time when the refusal to grant a continuance would "deny counsel for the defendant . . . the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation . . . ." Under these circumstances, the interests of justice in allowing the defense time for effective preparation outweighs the defendant's and the public's interest in a speedy trial under 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A).
The statements of defense counsel establish that the trial should be reset on February 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pocatello, Idaho. The Court finds that the period of time between the present trial date and the new trial date is excludable time under the Speedy Trial Act. Accordingly,
NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Motion to Continue Trial (Dkt. 13) shall be, and the same is hereby GRANTED, and that the present trial date be VACATED, and that a new trial be set for February 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in the U.S. Courthouse in Pocatello, Idaho.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the period of time between the prior trial date and the new trial date be deemed EXCLUDABLE TIME under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A) & (B).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the current trial readiness conference be VACATED, and that a new trial readiness conference be conducted by telephone on January 26, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. The Government shall place the call to (208) 334-9145 with opposing counsel on the line.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all pretrial motions shall be filed on or before January 9, 2012.
B. LYNN WINMILL
Chief U.S. District Court Judge