Opinion
CRIM. CASE NO. 1:20-cr-42-ECM
09-04-2020
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JEFFREY B. WILSON
MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER
Now pending before the court is Defendant Jeffrey B. Wilson's unopposed motion to continue trial (doc. 28) filed on September 3, 2020. Jury selection and trial is presently set on the term of court commencing on October 13, 2020. 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." 18 U.S.C. § 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." § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv).
Although the Defendant was indicted in February, he was not arraigned until August 25, 2020. Counsel for Wilson represents that additional time is necessary to retain a forensic expert, and gather court and medical records located in other states. Due to the national emergency declared by the President as the result of the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the ability to secure records has been impeded. Additionally, counsel requires additional time to adequately investigate this case, and advise the Defendant of his options. 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. Thus, for good cause, it is
ORDERED that the motion to continue (doc. 28) is GRANTED, and jury selection and trial are CONTINUED from October 13, 2020 to the criminal term of court commencing on January 11, 2021 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 trial term.
Done this 4th day of September, 2020.
/s/Emily C. Marks
EMILY C. MARKS
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE