Opinion
Case No. 1:CR 11-122-BLW.
July 18, 2011
ORDER
The Court has before it a motion to continue trial filed by defendant Johnson. The defendant requests additional time so that his counsel will have adequate time to prepare for trial. The Court finds that a continuance until October 3, 2011, would be reasonable given the complexities of this case.
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).
This new trial date applies to co-defendant Lantis as well. Under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(6), excludable time exists for "a reasonable period of delay when the defendant is joined for trial with a co-defendant as to whom the time for trial has not run and no motion for severance has been granted."
The statements of defense counsel establish that the trial should be reset on October 3, 2011. The Court finds that the period of time between the prior 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 for continuance (docket no. 27) filed by Defendant be, and the same is hereby, GRANTED, and that the present trial date be VACATED, and that a new trial be set for October 3, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. in the Federal Courthouse in Boise, Idaho. This new trial date applies to all defendants.
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).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the pretrial conference shall be held on September 21, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. by telephone with the Government to initiate the call. The Court can be reached at 208-334-9145. The defendant need not be on the line as only logistics will be discussed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the Defendant shall file all pretrial motions on or before September 5, 2011.