State v. Lujan

815 P.2d 642, 112 N.M. 346

• Court: New Mexico Court of Appeals
• Decided: May 28, 1991
• Docket: 12,527
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

DONNELLY, Judge.

The state appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing the indictment against defendant based on the trial court’s finding that the state violated defendant’s right to a speedy trial. The sole issue raised on appeal is whether the trial court erred in dismissing the indictment. We affirm the ruling of the trial court.

The state and defendant have stipulated. to the material facts. Defendant was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer. The charge arose out of an incident that occurred on June 12, 1989. Defendant was arrested on June 12, 1989; on June 13, 1989, he was arraigned and released on a $2,500 bond that remained in effect until the trial court dismissed the indictment. On June 14, 1989, the police report of the incident was completed. At the time of his arrest, defendant was on parole; as a result of the charges from the June 12, 1989, incident, his parole was revoked, and defendant was incarcerated at the state penitentiary until late November or early December 1989.

A preliminary hearing was not held in defendant’s case. On June 26, 1989, approximately two weeks after defendant’s arrest, defendant’s attorney wrote a letter to the prosecutor advising him that he was representing defendant and requesting that he be given notice of any grand jury proceeding involving defendant.

From late June 1989 through November of the same year, defendant's attorney made several attempts to resolve the pending charges by proposing different plea bargains; however, each offer was rejected. Ultimately, on February 8, 1990, defendant was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer. He was rearrested and released after posting an additional bond. On February 19, 1990, defendant waived arraignment. On May 18, 1990, defendant received a definite trial setting for July 9, 1990. On May 31, 1990, he filed a motion to dismiss the charge against him, alleging a violation of his constitutional right to a speedy trial. After a hearing on defendant’s motion on July 9, 1990, the trial court granted the motion to dismiss the charge with prejudice.

CLAIM OF DENIAL OF SPEEDY TRIAL

The right to a speedy trial is a fundamental constitutional right. Zurla v. State, 109 N.M. 640, 789 P.2d 588 (1990). The right protects a defendant against unreasonable and unnecessary delay in the resolution of criminal charges against him, as well as society’s interest in the prompt resolution of such charges. See Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972); Zurla v. State. In Barker, the United States Supreme Court set out the test used to determine whether such right has been violated. The Barker test takes into account four factors: the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of the right, and the prejudice to the defendant’s right to a speedy trial. See also Zurla v. State. No one factor is decisive; rather, appellate courts must independently engage in the complex and sensitive process of balancing the factors.¹ Id.; State v. Grissom, 106 N.M. 555, 746 P.2d 661 (Ct. App.1987). We examine each of the Barker factors.

A. Length of Delay

At the outset we must determine whether the length of the delay is presumptively prejudicial in light of the nature and the complexity of the charges and the nature of the evidence against the accused. See Zurla v. State; State v. Kilpatrick, 104 N.M. 441, 722 P.2d 692 (Ct.App.1986) (Kilpatrick II). If the length of the delay is not presumptively prejudicial, we need not consider the other three Barker factors. State v. Grissom; State v. Santillanes, 98 N.M. 448, 649 P.2d 516 (Ct.App.1982).

The right to a speedy trial attaches when the defendant becomes an accused. Kilpatrick v. State, 103 N.M. 52, 702 P.2d 997 (1985) (Kilpatrick I) on remand, 104 N.M. 441, 722 P.2d 692 (Ct.App.1986). In this case defendant became an accused for speedy trial purposes when he was arrested and released on bond on June 13, 1989. See United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 92 S.Ct. 455, 30 L.Ed.2d 468 (1971); Kilpatrick I. Cf. State v. Sanchez, 108 N.M. 206, 769 P.2d 1297 (Ct.App.1989) (right does not attach when defendant is arrested and released without restrictions pending further investigation). The parties appear to agree that the end point of the delay period in this case is the date of the trial setting, July 9, 1990. Thus, the delay in question is approximately thirteen months. Because this case involves a relatively lengthy delay considering the simple nature of the charge and the readily available evidence, we believe the trial court correctly determined that the length of the delay was presumptively prejudicial. See Salandre v. State, 111 N.M. 422, 806 P.2d 562 (1991) (holding nine months marks minimum length of time in speedy trial claim that may be considered presumptively prejudicial, even for case involving simple charges and readily available evidence). Cf. Work v. State (thirteen-month delay held presumptively prejudicial where charges included four counts of criminal solicitation and one count of aggravated battery).

The state argues, however, that we should exclude from the delay period the time span dating from the first substantive plea discussion to the last plea discussion because the delay caused by the plea negotiations was for the benefit of defendant. After this case was briefed, our supreme court decided Salandre, and indicated that in considering the first Barker factor (length of delay), and whether the length of the delay is presumptively prejudicial, the court does not initially consider how much of the delay has been caused by the state or the defendant. Salandre v. State, 111 N.M. at 427-28, 806 P.2d at 567-68 (in deciding whether defendant has made a preliminary showing of presumptively prejudicial delay, “inquiry at this stage of a speedy trial claim into the remaining three factors would tangle the courts needlessly in consideration of minutiae of a case prior to the invocation of the full balancing test”). We follow this precept and consider the effect, if any, in the instant case of the unsuccessful plea negotiations in connection with our review of the second Barker factor involving the reason for delay.

B. Reason for the Delay

As defendant correctly points out, the state has a duty to bring defendant to trial. See Dickey v. Florida, 398 U.S. 30, 90 S.Ct. 1564, 26 L.Ed.2d 26 (1970); Smith v. Hooey, 393 U.S. 374, 89 S.Ct. 575, 21 L.Ed.2d 607 (1969). The state responds, however, that four months of the delay in the instant case were attributable in part to the unsuccessful plea negotiations initiated by defendant, and in part due to the necessity of also waiting approximately three months for the convening of the grand jury once the negotiations broke down. We do not consider the state’s argument concerning the period of delay caused by waiting for a grand jury to be convened, because it was not raised below. See State v. Martin, 101 N.M. 595, 686 P.2d 937 (1984) (appellate court cannot consider facts that are not of record); State v. Lucero, 104 N.M. 587, 725 P.2d 266 (Ct.App.1986) (appellate court will not consider argument on appeal unless the argument was made below). Moreover, the state has not explained why in lieu of proceeding against defendant by indictment, it could not have proceeded by criminal information.

Whether delay resulting from attempts to reach an agreement concerning a plea bargain is chargeable against either party in computing defendant’s speedy trial claim is an issue of first impression in this jurisdiction. In essence, the state argues that the unsuccessful plea negotiations consumed approximately four months, that the plea negotiations were for the benefit of defendant, and therefore those four months of the delay period should be treated as a valid reason for delay. See State v. Manes, 112 N.M. 161, 812 P.2d 1309 (Ct.App.1991) (analyzing separately the reasons for different portions of the delay period). In support of this position, the state relies on language in State v. Sanchez, 109 N.M. 313, 785 P.2d 224 (1989), and State v. Mendoza, 108 N.M. 446, 774 P.2d 440 (1989), in which the six-month rule, see SCRA 1986, 5-604(B), was held suspended during periods of delay found to be for the benefit of the defendant. See also State v. Lucas, 110 N.M. 272, 794 P.2d 1201 (Ct.App.1990) (time during which agreed-upon plea bargain is being assessed by the court suspends running of six-month rule).

Defendant points out that plea bargaining is explored in numerous cases and that in some proceedings negotiations between the prosecution and the defense continue from the date of arrest through the trial and end only when the jury returns a verdict. Thus, defendant argues that the state’s proposed disposition, if accepted, would have the effect of vitiating the constitutional right to a speedy trial.

We believe the position advocated by the state is too sweeping in its effect. If the plea negotiations in this case had resulted in an agreement on a particular plea bargain to be presented to the trial court, or if the facts gave rise to circumstances indicating that the parties implicitly agreed to stay the time within which to process defendant’s trial, we would agree that the time between the reaching of the agreement and its presentation to the trial court for approval or disapproval would be a period of delay for which there was a valid reason not to charge the state with such delay. See United States v. Jones, 475 F.2d 322 (D.C.Cir.1972) (period of time involved in considering defendant’s pretrial motions, as well as the time consumed by efforts toward disposition of the case by plea, not held against either party). Cf. State v. Sanchez (period of time resulting from trial court’s assessment of plea bargain submitted by the parties held excludable from time constraints of six-month rule); State v. Lucas (time during which plea agreement is being assessed by trial court suspends running of time period under six-month rule). Similarly, we would agree that any time period during which the parties explicitly agreed to delay further proceedings to explore plea negotiations also constitutes a period of time for which a valid reason for delay existed. See United States v. Litton Systems, Inc., 722 F.2d 264 (5th Cir.) (delay resulting from defendant’s efforts to resolve case by plea bargain not chargeable to state where parties agreed that neither side would make any move to alter status quo of case), cert. denied, 466 U.S. 973, 104 S.Ct. 2349, 80 L.Ed.2d 822 (1984); State v. Pippin, 72 N.C.App. 387, 324 S.E.2d 900 (1985) (the defendant’s attorney requested that no indictment be brought against the defendant while plea negotiations were being discussed; court held that any time periods actually attributable to the defendant’s requested plea negotiations should be viewed as periods during which he has waived speedy trial claim).

In the absence of facts indicating an express or implicit agreement between the parties to stay the time within which to bring defendant’s case to trial within the speedy trial requirements of the sixth amendment, we follow the approach of other jurisdictions and decline to automatically adopt a per se rule attributing delay resulting from attempted plea negotiations to a specific party. See State v. Smith, 495 N.E.2d 539, 542 (Ind.Ct.App.1986); People v. Butcher, 46 Mich.App. 40, 44, 207 N.W.2d 430, 433 (1973); Reed v. State, 506 So.2d 277 (Miss.1987). In the absence of an agreement between the parties, the extent to which attempted plea negotiations constitute a valid reason for delay or should be charged against the state, defendant or both parties involves a factual issue to be determined by the trial court under the facts and circumstances of each particular case.

Examination of the stipulated evidence herein indicates that in several instances defendant’s attempts to negotiate a plea bargain were prolonged in part by delays by the prosecution in responding to defendant’s proposals. Moreover, the primary responsibility for according defendant his right to speedy trial rests with the state. Salandre v. State (state bears the primary responsibility to bring criminal cases to trial within a reasonable time). Thus, on the facts herein, we agree with the trial court that the unsuccessful plea negotiations in this case did not constitute a valid reason for suspending the time period with regard to defendant’s right to a speedy trial and charge such period of delay against the state. Accordingly, we hold that the reasons for the delay in this case should weigh against the state, but not heavily. See Zurla v. State (delays due to bureaucratic indifference are weighed more heavily against the state than simple case overload). Cf. Kilpatrick II, 104 N.M. at 445, 722 P.2d at 696 (deliberate delay in order to gain tactical advantage at trial is weighed heavily against the government). Accord State v. Owens, 778 S.W.2d 135, 138 (Tex.Ct.App.1989) (affirming trial court’s determination that on the facts of that case, negotiations, among other things, were not a valid reason for seven-month preindictment delay).

C. Assertion of the Right

The record demonstrates that defendant made a timely assertion of his right by filing the motion for speedy trial and motion to dismiss shortly after receipt of notice of the first trial setting. See Work v. State. Our examination of the record and review of the trial court’s remarks during the motion hearing indicate that the court considered the initiation of plea negotiations by defendant as constituting, in effect, an early assertion of his speedy trial right, thus causing the trial court to weigh this factor heavily against the state. See Zurla v. State. Zurla, however, is distinguishable as involving an explicit demand that the state proceed to try the defendant. In this case, while defendant made efforts to resolve the charges against him, his efforts fall short of an explicit demand that the state proceed to indictment or trial. Thus, we treat this as a case in which defendant asserted his right in a timely manner, but did no more. Thus, we weigh this factor against the state, but not as heavily as in Zurla.

D. Prejudice to the Right to Speedy Trial

This factor is the most troublesome. See Work v. State. The speedy trial guarantee protects several different interests. As the Supreme Court observed in Barker:

[T]here is a societal interest in providing a speedy trial which exists separate from, and at times in opposition to, the interests of the accused. The inability of courts to provide a prompt trial has contributed to a large backlog of cases in urban courts which, among other things, enables defendants to negotiate more effectively for pleas of guilty to lesser offenses and otherwise manipulate the system. In addition, persons released on bond for lengthy periods awaiting trial have an opportunity to commit other crimes. * * * Moreover, the longer an accused is free awaiting trial, the more tempting becomes his opportunity to jump bail and escape. Finally, delay between arrest and punishment may have a detrimental effect on rehabilitation.

Id., 407 U.S. at 519-20, 92 S.Ct. at 2186-87 (footnotes omitted). As observed by the United States Supreme Court, the constitutional right to a speedy trial is essential to protect “at least three basic demands of criminal justice ... ‘[1] to prevent undue and oppressive incarceration prior to trial, [2] to minimize anxiety and concern accompanying public accusation and [3] to limit the possibilities that long delay will impair the ability of an accused to defend himself.’ ” Smith v. Hooey, 393 U.S. at 378, 89 S.Ct. at 577 (quoting United States v. Ewell, 383 U.S. 116, 120, 86 S.Ct. 773, 776, 15 L.Ed.2d 627 (1966)); see also Zurla v. State. We examine each of these factors separately.

1. Oppressive Pretrial Incarceration

One of the interests protected by the right to speedy trial is the right to be free of oppressive pretrial incarceration, or the lesser but still significant restrictions that flow from the posting of bond. See Kilpatrick II, 104 N.M. at 445, 722 P.2d at 696. It is undisputed that in this case defendant was subject to the restrictions of the bond he posted throughout the period of time between his arrest and the dismissal of charges against him. Thus, defendant, although released on bond, was to some degree subject to restrictions of his freedom resulting from the pending charges.

Defendant also argues that the delay in this case deprived him of the opportunity to serve concurrent sentences. See Zurla v. State. After the trial court ordered this case dismissed, our supreme court handed down Salandre in which the court amplified the proper analysis applicable to evaluating claims of denial of a defendant’s right to a speedy trial. In Salandre, the supreme court held that a defendant does not suffer the loss of the possibility of concurrent sentencing because of lengthy delay in bringing the charges to trial if the defendant is released from the incarceration on the parole violation before the delay becomes presumptively prejudicial. In this case defendant was released from the incarceration on the parole violation five months after he became an accused for speedy trial purposes, which is four months before the delay in his case became presumptively prejudicial. Thus, on the facts of this case, we conclude that the delay did not cause defendant to lose his opportunity to serve concurrent sentences. See Salandre v. State. However, as observed above, we determine that defendant was subjected to some degree to restrictions on his freedom.

2. Anxiety and Concern

The stipulation of facts did not directly cover this issue. However, we believe that on the facts as stipulated, a reasonable inference may be drawn that defendant suffered a degree of anxiety and concern as a result of the pending charges. We recognize that anxiety and concern are common ingredients surrounding the filing of criminal charges in most cases. See State v. Garcia, 110 N.M. 419, 796 P.2d 1115 (Ct.App.1990). However, the question for purposes of speedy trial analysis is whether such anxiety and concern, once proved, has continued for an unacceptably long period. Salandre v. State. We conclude that although the state has shown that defendant did not sustain undue or unusual anxiety or concern, defendant nevertheless sustained some anxiety and concern. On balance, however, we find that the presence of anxiety and concern on the part of defendant has not been shown to weigh heavily under the facts herein.

3. Impairment of the Defense

At the hearing before the trial court, defendant indicated that his memory of events had faded during the passage of time. While allegations of faded memory, without more, are insufficient to establish actual impairment to the defense, see State v. Grissom, defendant’s showing in this case is similar to the showing in Work, where the defendant showed weakness in a potential witness’s memory. The supreme court viewed this as reinforcing the presumption of prejudice and a similar result should obtain here.

BALANCING THE FACTORS

In conclusion, the delay in this case was presumptively prejudicial. The trial court determined that the reasons for the delay were not valid and thus should be weighed against the state. We affirm this finding. Defendant asserted his right to a speedy trial in a timely fashion, and thus that factor should also be weighed in his favor and against the state. Finally, defendant has shown some prejudice to his right to a speedy trial because he was subject to the restrictions of bond, and to some degree of anxiety and concern for a period of approximately thirteen months. Moreover, the state has not rebutted the presumption of prejudice that was corroborated by defendant’s showing. In short, under the facts of this case, the evidence indicates that each of the Barker factors weighs against the state but not heavily. We view this case as similar on the facts to Salandre. In comparing the factors in this case with both Salandre and Work, we find that defendant’s case for a speedy trial violation is at least as strong. Although the extent of prejudice is slight, as in Salandre, and might not justify dismissal of the charges standing alone, on balance we conclude that defendant’s right to a speedy trial was violated. Accordingly, we hold the trial court did not err in its dismissal of the charges against defendant on the ground that delay in this case chargeable to the state violated defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.

CONCLUSION

The order of the trial court dismissing the charge against defendant with prejudice is affirmed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

MINZNER, J., concurs. BIVINS, J., dissents.

1 . In independently balancing each factor we are nevertheless cognizant of the statement of our supreme court in Work v. State, 111 N.M. 145, 148, 803 P.2d 234, 237 (1990), note 3, which quoted with approval from State v. Holtslander, 102 Idaho 306, 309 n. 2, 629 P.2d 702, 705 n. 2 (1981) indicating that “ ‘[i]t should be noted that each of the Barker factors involves primarily factual inquiries, so that the decision of the trial court granting a dismissal is entitled to great weight."' (Emphasis added.)