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Last week I was able to have a criminal case, including several felony counts, dismissed against one of my clients. This was because, via motion, I argued that the Government had violated their right to a Speedy Trial, under both the California and Federal Constitution.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”
This isn’t meant as a legal essay about this right or how it’s applied in Criminal Law. Rather this is about what that day meant to me. Because my interest in becoming a lawyer and especially one who practices criminal defense, was to uphold individual rights against the power of…
