Opinion
7:24-cr-25-WLS-TQL-1
08-26-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. JARVIS JAMAL BENTON, Defendant.
ORDER
W. LOUIS SANDS, SR. JUDGE
Previously, the Court provided the Parties with notice that this case was scheduled for pretrial conference on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. and for trial during the Court's Specially Set September 2024 Valdosta trial term (Doc. 18) starting September 23, 2024. In the event the case is not ready for trial, the Parties were ordered to file a motion to continue at least two days prior to the date of the noticed pretrial conference. (Id.) Defendant, Jarvis Jamal Benton, filed a timely Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial in the Interest of Justice (Doc. 20) (“Motion”). Defense Counsel was appointed to represent Defendant on July 30, 2024, and Defendant's initial appearance and arraignment hearing was held July 30, 2024. (Docket Entry 24). Defense Counsel received discovery from the Government on August 7, and August 19, 2024. (Doc. 20 at 2).
Defendant requests a continuance of the trial to the next term of court in the Valdosta Division so that Defense Counsel has time to review the discovery, discuss the discovery, answer questions, and confer with Defendant and Government's Counsel regarding any potential plea negotiations. The case has not previously been continued, and Defense Counsel represents that she has conferred with Assistant United States Attorney, Sonja Profit, and the Government does not oppose this motion. Defense Counsel further states that the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the United States Attorney's Office in a speedy trial, and that the period of delay in holding the trial is excludable under the Speedy Trial Act 18 U.S.C. § 3161.
To satisfy 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A)-(B), the Court assumes Defense Counsel intended to state that the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the Defendant in a speedy trial, and the Court so finds based on the statements in the Motion.
Based on the Defendant's stated reasons, the Court finds that the ends of justice served by granting a continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the Defendant in a speedy trial. 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A)-(B). Therefore, the Motion (Doc. 20) is GRANTED.
The Court hereby ORDERS that the trial in the above-referenced matter be CONTINUED to the Valdosta Division November 2024 trial term and its conclusion, or as may otherwise be ordered by the Court. Furthermore, it is ORDERED that the time lost under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, is EXCLUDED pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7) because the Court has continued the trial in this case and finds that the failure to grant a continuance (a) would likely result in a miscarriage of justice, and (b) would deny Defense Counsel the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv).
The August 28, 2024 pretrial conference is CANCELLED.
SO ORDERED.