State v. Andrews (In re Andrews)

255 So. 3d 1106
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedSeptember 12, 2018
DocketNO. 2018-KA-0149; NO. 2018-K-0339
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 255 So. 3d 1106 (State v. Andrews (In re Andrews)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Andrews (In re Andrews), 255 So. 3d 1106 (La. Ct. App. 2018).

Opinion

JUDGE SANDRA CABRINA JENKINS

*1110The State appeals the trial court's September 25, 2017 ruling granting defendant's motion to quash for a violation of his constitutional right to a speedy trial. Based on our review of the record and in light of the factors set forth in Barker v. Wingo , 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's ruling, and we affirm. In addition, we deny relief sought by defendant in the consolidated writ application.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On October 15, 2013, defendant, Timrek Andrews, was arrested following a traffic stop by two New Orleans Police Department ("NOPD") officers for a damaged driver-side mirror on defendant's vehicle. During the traffic stop, the officers requested defendant exit and step to the rear of the vehicle for officer safety. After defendant exited the vehicle, the officers observed defendant reach into his front left pocket, remove a clear plastic baggie containing an off-white powder substance, and place the baggie in his mouth. In an attempt to restrain defendant, a struggle ensued between the officers and defendant. Once the officers gained control of defendant, they placed him under arrest. Observing that defendant had suffered injuries during the scuffle and believing that he had ingested the plastic baggie containing the off-white powder substance, the officers contacted Emergency Medical Services to transport defendant to University Hospital for evaluation. Defendant was subsequently arrested and booked on a felony charge of obstruction of justice, a violation of La. R.S. 14:130.1, and misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer, a violation of s La. R.S. 14:108, and battery of a police officer (2 counts), a violation of La. R.S. 14:34.2.

On December 5, 2013, the State filed a bill of information in Orleans Parish Municipal Court charging defendant with the three misdemeanor offenses. Defendant was arraigned that same date and pled not guilty. The felony charge of obstruction of justice was refused by the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office.

On May 20, 2014, the first trial setting in Municipal Court, a motion to continue the trial was filed, and trial was rescheduled for August 14, 2014. The record does not reflect which party requested the continuance. On August 14, 2014, the State was granted a continuance due to the failure of the victim to appear. On November 13, 2014, the Orleans Parish Public Defender was appointed to represent defendant; trial was rescheduled for February 10, 2015.

On February 10, 2015, defendant failed to appear for trial, an attachment was issued, and defendant's bond was forfeited. On March 4, 2015, the attachment was recalled; defendant was found in contempt of court, assessed a fine of one-hundred dollars, and ordered to spend five nights in jail. On May 14, 2015, the defense was granted a continuance of trial due to NOPD officers' failure to appear. On July 31, 2015, the defense sought another continuance, and trial was rescheduled for August 25, 2015. On that date, the State sought a continuance, and trial was rescheduled for September 29, 2015. After a subsequent status hearing, trial was scheduled for December 10, 2015.

On October 30, 2015, the State filed a second bill of information charging defendant in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court with one felony count of obstruction of justice and the three misdemeanor charges pending against defendant in Municipal *1111Court.1 On November 13, 2015, defendant appeared for arraignment in Criminal District Court and entered a plea of not guilty. On December 10, 2015, the State nolle prosequied the charges pending against defendant in Municipal Court.

On September 28, 2016, the first trial setting in Criminal District Court, defendant failed to appear for trial; the trial court issued an alias capias. The following day, defendant appeared before the trial court; the court found him in contempt and imposed a fine; and the alias capias was recalled. Trial was scheduled for November 29, 2016. On that date, the trial court granted the State a continuance, over the defense's objection. On January 17, 2017, the trial court granted the defense a continuance, over the State's objection. Three more trial settings followed: March 21, 2017; May 22, 2017; and July 17, 2017. On each date, the trial court granted the State a continuance, over the defense's objection. Trial was then set for October 2, 2017. Prior to that trial setting, defense counsel appeared without defendant for unscheduled activity on July 21, 2017. On that date, the October 2, 2017 trial date was vacated, and trial was re-set for September 25, 2017.

On September 25, 2017, defendant filed a motion to quash for denial of defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial. Defendant appeared in court that day ready for trial, but the State moved for another continuance of the trial. The trial court denied the State's motion for a continuance and granted defendant's motion to quash. In granting the motion to quash, the trial court reasoned that the four year delay since defendant was initially charged constituted a violation of his right to a speedy trial. The State objected to the trial court's ruling and noticed its intent to appeal. On that same date, the State filed its motion for appeal and designation of the record.

DISCUSSION

Motion to Dismiss the Appeal

Before considering the merits of the State's appeal, we address the defendant's motion to dismiss the appeal as untimely. Defendant argues that the State abandoned this appeal when the State failed to comply with its obligations as the party moving for the appeal pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. arts. 915 and 915.1.

A motion for an appeal must be made no later than thirty days after the rendition of the judgment or ruling from which the appeal is taken. La. C.Cr.P. art. 914.2 Once the motion for appeal is made, the trial court "shall" set the return date seventy-five days from the date the motion for appeal is granted, unless the trial court fixes a lesser period. La. C.Cr.P. art. 915(A). In addition, "[t]he party moving for the appeal must forward notice that a motion for appeal has been made to the appropriate appellate court within seven days of the date the motion is made." La. C.Cr.P. art. 915(B). Once the trial court signs an order of appeal setting a return date, "[t]he trial court may grant one extension of the return date of not more than thirty days," but "[a]n extension may not be granted after the return date has passed." La. C.Cr.P. art. 915.1. Further, "[t]he extension may be granted only upon *1112proof presented by the moving party that additional time is necessary due to extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the moving party and that, without the extension, an unusual and undue hardship would be created."3

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
255 So. 3d 1106, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-andrews-in-re-andrews-lactapp-2018.