Opinion
CRIM. 1:23-cr-239-ECM [WO]
09-29-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AUDRA MAURICE RHINE
MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER
EMILY C. MARKS CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Now pending before the court is Defendant Audra Maurice Rhine's motion to continue trial (doc. 14) filed on September 29, 2023. Jury selection and trial are presently set on the term of court commencing on October 30, 2023. For the reasons set forth below, the Court will grant a continuance of the trial pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7).
While the trial judge enjoys great discretion when determining whether to grant a continuance, the Court is limited by the requirements of the Speedy Trial Act. 18 U.S.C. § 3161; United States v. Stitzer, 785 F.2d 1506, 1516 (11th Cir. 1986). The Act provides in part:
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.18 U.S.C. § 3161(c)(1).
The Act excludes, however, certain delays from the seventy-day period, including delays based on “findings that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.” Id. § 3161(h)(7)(A). In determining whether to grant a continuance under § 3161(h)(7), the Court “shall consider,” among other factors, whether denial of a continuance would likely “result in a miscarriage of justice,” or “would deny counsel for the defendant . . . the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence.” Id. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv).
Counsel for the Defendant represents to the Court that she needs additional time to adequately prepare for trial. Specifically, counsel represents that the Defendant is potentially facing multiple substantial mandatory minimum sentences, and thus additional time is needed in light of the seriousness of the possible punishments, the complexity of the issues, and the volume of discovery in the case. (Doc. 14 at 1). The United States does not oppose a continuance. After careful consideration, the Court finds that the ends of justice served by granting a continuance of this trial outweigh the best interest of the public and the Defendant in a speedy trial. Accordingly, for good cause, it is
ORDERED that the motion to continue (doc. 14) is GRANTED to the extent that jury selection and trial are CONTINUED from October 30, 2023, to the criminal term of court set to commence on January 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in Dothan, Alabama. All deadlines tied to the trial date are adjusted accordingly.
The United States Magistrate Judge shall conduct a pretrial conference prior to the January 2024 trial term.