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Speedy trial requirement
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There is an important speedy trial requirement which must be
followed in
cases where the juvenile is detained pending trial as a delinquent.
Except for
limited exceptions, the juvenile must be brought to delinquency
trial within
thirty days from the beginning of his detention, or the information
must be
dismissed. 18 U.S.C.A. § 5036 (West 1985). See also
Baker, 10 F. 3d
at 1397. The statute also provides that such a dismissal shall be
with prejudice
except in extraordinary circumstances. Id. The exceptions
include delay
was caused by the juvenile or his or her counsel, or delay in the
interest of
justice. Id.; Doe, 49 F.3d at 865. A district
court's findings
as to factual matters such as consent must be upheld unless they
are clearly
erroneous. Id. The court's determination of whether a
delay is in the
interest of justice is reviewed for abuse of discretion.
Id.
"Detention" in 18 U.S.C.A. § 5036, means, "in physically
restrictive
detention amounting to institutionalism", and is applicable to
juveniles in
federal custody. Romulus, 949 F.2d at 716; Doe, 882
F. 2d 926,
927-28 (5th Cir. 1989), citing Cuomo, 525 F. 2d at
1291. Federal
custody or detention for purposes of the § 5036 speedy trial
provision is
defined as custody or detention pending trial pursuant to the
charge by
information of an act of delinquency. Juvenile Male, 74
F.3d at 530. An
arrest by state authorities for state charges does not start the
speedy trial
period under Section 5036. Three Male Juveniles, 49 F. 3d
at 1063-64.
Nor does it start when juveniles are placed in "administrative
detention."
Juvenile Male, 74 F.3d at 529.
If a juvenile is transferred for adult prosecution, the speedy
trial
requirements under 18 U.S.C.A. § 5036 are no longer applicable.
Romulus, 949 F.2d at 716. The time between the date the
government moves
to have the juvenile treated as an adult and the date the district
court rules
on the transfer request is excludable from the thirty-day speedy
trial
requirement as falling within the interest-of-justice exclusion.
Id.
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