Legal Question in Criminal Law in South Carolina

Speedy trial

We live in south carolina, the attorneys here are telling us there is no speedy trial law. I thought the speedy trial was in the constutition, the bill of rights, how can a state say that the speedy trail does not apply to them?


Asked on 4/04/08, 10:29 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Johnston Law Offices of Robert J. Johnston

Re: Speedy trial

Every person charged with a crime has a right to a speedy trial per the US Constitution amount other laws. The problem is that the US Supreme Court has left it up to the individual states to define what "speedy" means. The South Carolina courts have never really taken a position on that. Therefore, there is such a law, but it really has no affect in SC.

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Answered on 4/04/08, 10:45 am


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