Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

speedy trial

Our now18 old daughter was charged with 1st degree rob.and p.of and illegal fire arm.She owned the car.thats it.Never been in trouble before.my husband is 100% disabled,so we took assigned council.we signed for a speedy trial but that time has come and passed.Our lawyer said the speedy trial does not matter in her case,because the other lawyers are in agreement.Is this legal?We signed up for speedy cause the stress was to much.


Asked on 1/09/09, 4:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: speedy trial

Sounds like assigned counsel is confusing things. Everyone automatically has a right to speedy trial. You only sign to waive--give up--your right to a speedy trial.

Speedy trial always matters in a case if your daughter wants it because it is her right. However, usually the prosecutor has their case ready to go before they even file it so that they have no risk of running out of time. Then it is the defense that needs time to prepare. So it might be to your advantage to waive speedy. You want your lawyer prepared and it may take more time to do that.

At your service,

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Answered on 1/09/09, 6:42 pm


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