Speedy Trial Act In Federal Courts And Texas Courts?

As we were discussing the Sixth Amendment last week, we were addressing the clause that guarantees the defendant a speedy trial. There are several factors that determine wehther a defendant's right to a speedy trial was violated. In addition to the Sixth Amendment, Congress has passed The Speedy Trial Act which requires a federal criminal trial to begin within seventy days after the defendant is charged or appears in court or indicted. There several exceptions, but they are enumerated in the statute.

Texas has codified the speedy trial doctrine into its Constitution and Code of Criminal Procedure. Texas Constitution Article I, Section 10 states that "all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury."

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states that "[i]nsofar as is practicable, the trial of a criminal action shall be given preference over trials of civil case, and the trial of a criminal action against a defendant who is detained in jail pending trial of the action shall be given preference over trials of other criminal actions."

If you have been charged with sex crimes, contact a Plano criminal defense lawyer today.