Alabama Cases December 18, 2023: United States v. Anderson

Case Description

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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

EMILY C. MARKS, CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Now pending before the court is Defendant Guy Henry Anderson's motion to continue trial (doc. 32) filed on December 15, 2023. Jury selection and trial are presently set on the term of court commencing on January 22, 2024. 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,”

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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 the United States Attorney has approved the Defendant's application for pretrial diversion and that Probation has also found the Defendant to be an appropriate candidate for pretrial diversion, but that additional time is needed for the parties and Probation to execute and file a pretrial diversion agreement. 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. 32) is GRANTED to the extent that jury selection and trial are CONTINUED from January 22, 2024, to the criminal term of court set to commence on April 8, 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 April 2024 trial term.