ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 325 By: Daniels of the Senate and Duel of the House An Act relating to criminal prosecutions; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Sections 812.1 and 812.2, which relate to the right to speedy trial; modifying time limits for conducting certain criminal proceedings; updating statutory references; limiting number of continuances on certain grounds; adding permissible grounds for delay of certain proceedings; increasing frequency of certain required review; updating statutory language; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 22 O.S. 2021, Section 812.1, is amended to read as follows: Section 812.1. A. If any person charged with a crime a nd held in jail solely by reason thereof is not brought to trial within one (1) year after arrest nine (9) months after the person ’s initial appearance on the charge , the court shall set the case for immediate review as provided in Section 2 812.2 of this act title, to determine if the right of the accused to a speedy trial is being protected. B. If any person charged with a felony crime who is held to answer on an appearance bond is not brought to trial within eighteen ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (18) months after arrest initial appearance, the court shall set the case for immediate review as provided in Section 2 812.2 of this act, title to determine if the right of the accused to a speedy trial is being protected. C. In the event a mistrial is declared or a conviction is reversed on appeal, the time limitations provided for in this section shall commence to run from the date the mistrial is declared or the date of the mandate of the Court of Criminal Appeals. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 22 O.S. 2021, Section 812 .2, is amended to read as follows: Section 812.2. A. Whenever the court finds that a case should be reviewed to determine if the right of an accused to a speedy trial is being protected, the court shall: 1. Issue notice to the District Attorney district attorney, the accused, and the attorney for the accused that the case will be reviewed by the court at a date and time which is not less than ten (10) days nor more than twenty (20) days from the date of the notice. Each party shall have the opportunity to present evidence or legal authority in support of its position; and 2. Take evidence from both parties regarding the appropriateness of the cause for the delay. At the hearing, the court shall consider whether the delay has occurred for any of the following reasons: ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 a. the delay is the result of due to the application of the accused or an attorney on behalf of the accused, b. the delay is the result of due to the fault of the accused or the attorney for the accused, c. the accused is incompetent to sta nd trial, d. a proceeding to determine the competency of the accused to stand trial is pending and a determination cannot be completed within the time limitations fixed for trial, e. there is material evidence or a material witness which is unavailable and that reasonable efforts have be en made to procure such evidence or witness, and there are reasonable grounds to believe that such evidence or witness can be obtained and trial commenced within a reasonable time, f. the accused is charged as a codefendant or coconspirator and the court has determined that the codefendants or coconspirators must be tried before separate juries taken from separate jury panels, g. the court has other cases pending for trial that are for persons incarcerated prior to the case i n question, and the court does n ot have sufficient time to commence the trial of the case within the time limitation fixed for trial; provided, no more than three continuances of ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 not more than thirty (30) days may be ordered pursuant to this subparagraph , h. the court, state, accused, or the attorney for the accused is incapable of proceeding to trial due to illness or other reason and it is unreasonable to reassign the case, and i. no court reporter is available for the trial of the case; provided, if the delay is pursuant to this subparagraph, a court reporter shall be assigned for trial within sixty (60) days of the hearing, j. a continuance is granted to allow the prosecution additional time to prepare in a felony case if the court enters specific findin gs that additional time is justified due to exceptional circumstances, and k. due to other reasonable grounds the court does not have sufficient time to commence the trial of the case within the time limit fixed for trial ; provided, no more than one continuance of not more than thirty (3 0) days may be ordered pursuant to this subparagraph . B. If, after After hearing all the evidence and the legal arguments properly submitted, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the state is not proce eding with due diligence, that none of the exceptions set out in paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section justify additional delay and the right of the ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 accused to a speedy trial as provided in this section and Section 812.1 of this title has been violated, the court shall dismiss the case. C. If a preliminary hearing has been held, the case may be refiled, unless the applicable statute of limitations has expired, upon a showing of newly discovered evidence which could not have been discovered prior to t rial, unless the applicable statute of limitations has expired . D. If a preliminary hearing has not been held, the case may be refiled, upon good cause shown , unless any applicable statute of limitations has expired. E. If, after After hearing all the evidence and the legal arguments properly submitted, if the court finds that the right of the accused to a speedy trial has not been violated, the court shall set the case for review in four (4) within three (3) months. If the case is still pending after th e four-month three-month period, the court shall conduct another review within thirty (30) days . The four-month review of pending cases every thirty (30) days shall be a continuing responsibility of the court until final disposition of the case. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024. ENGR. S. B. NO. 325 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the Senate the 4th day of March, 2024. Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2024. Presiding Officer of the Ho use of Representatives