Under existing law, a criminal defendant must be brought to trial within 6 months after the date of the entry of a plea of not guilty.
However, there are circumstances that exclude a period of time when computing the time within which a defendant must be brought to trial. These exclusions extend the length of time within which the defendant must be brought to trial. The bill permits the court to exclude a period of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, not to exceed 6 months, if the case includes a charge of a certain crime and other considerations are satisfied. The court may grant not more than 2 continuances due to a period of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill requires the court that orders an exclusion of a period of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct a hearing for reconsideration of bond for an eligible defendant in custody awaiting trial.
A court shall not grant a continuance based on a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on or after 5:01 p.m. on April 29, 2022
Year
2021
Current status
- Became law (06/21/2021)
