Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I would like to know how long can a crimal case go on before the judge can dismiss it? And can defendants sue the courts for the time they have placed an hold on your life because of the case continuing for over three years?I would also like to know if I can sue the court as well as the DA for placing all of this stress as well as my not being able to be with my parents when they needed me? They have both died>


Asked on 3/06/10, 11:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

How long your case can go on depends upon many factors. Did you ask for some or all of the delays? If the prosecutor is the one who asked for additional time, what were her reasons? What have you been charged with? How complex is the case? Are there other defendants? Did you waive your right to a speedy trial? Without this information, there is no way to answer your first question.

The answer to your remaining questions is no. You can't sue the police, the prosecutors or the court due to the delays you have encountered. If the delays are improper you may be able to get the case dismissed on that basis, but that would be your only remedy.

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Answered on 3/12/10, 10:08 pm


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