Bloate v. U.S.: Extensions of Time to File Pretrial Motions Not Automatically Excludable from Speedy Trial "Clock"
The United States Supreme Court has sped up the clock in criminal cases with consequences for how attorneys practicing federal criminal law will practice in the future. The Speedy Trial Act of 1974, 18 United States Code Section 3161 et seq., requires that the trial of a criminal defendant begin within 70 days of the date he is charged or makes an initial appearance, whichever is later. The Act, however, contains numerous periods of delay which are not counted when computing the 70 day time frame. Some of the periods of delay are “automatically” excluded from the 70 day time period, and are contained in Section 3161(h)(1). Other periods are only excludable if the district court makes specific findings, pursuant to Section 3161(h)(7), which provides that certain time periods “may” be excludable if the judge finds that “the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial,”
One of the “automatic” exclusions is for “(D) delay resulting from any pretrial motion, from the filing of the motion through the conclusion of the hearing on, or other prompt disposition of, such motion…” 18 United States Code Section 3161(h)(1)(D). Courts traditionally read this provision to include additional time granted to defendants to file pretrial motions. Yesterday, however, the Supreme Court issued its opinion, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, in Bloate v. U.S., No. 08–728, available here, in which the majority held that “delay resulting from pretrial motions is automatically excludable, i.e., excludable without district court findings, only from the time a motion is filed through the hearing or disposition point specified in the subparagraph, and that other periods of pretrial motion-related delay are excludable only when accompanied by district court findings.” (Emphasis in original).
Counsel for Bloate, who was indicted for possession of cocaine, had obtained an approximately one month extension of time to file pretrial motions, and subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the indictment for Speedy Trial Act violations. The district court held that the extension to file pretrial motions was excludable under Section 3161(h)(1)(D) and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction, however the Supreme Court reversed and remanded. The majority responded to criticisms by dissenting Justices Samuel Alito and Steven Breyer that its holding would force district courts to choose between denying requests for additional time to file pretrial motions and potential dismissal of the indictment, noting that courts may make specific findings that the time is excludable from the Speedy Trial computation under Section 3161(h)(7), and that, even if the indictment is dismissed without prejudice, the government may still re-indict the defendant.
Most criminal cases already move quickly precisely because of the Speedy Trial Act. Conversely, the cases may be complex, preparation of effective pretrial motions may require substantial time and criminal lawyers may be occupied on other cases. Extensions of time to file pretrial motions are a frequently sought remedy. In view of the Court’s holding in Bloate, practitioners now must consider the implications under the Speedy Trial Act in requesting necessary extensions of time. Lawyers will have to consider how any proposed extension should be excludable from the Speedy Trial clock in the interest of justice, and may be forced to agree or stipulate that any extension will be excludable.
