State v. Vera, Unpublished Decision (3-1-2004)
State v. Vera, Unpublished Decision (3-1-2004)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On May 3, 2003, Vera was arrested for several violations, with the most serious being Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, a first degree misdemeanor. Bond was set, but Vera was unable to post it and remained in jail. The trial was set for June 10, 2003. Thereafter, Vera requested a pretrial conference. On June 10, 2003, Vera filed a motion to dismiss claiming that the State had violated his right to a speedy trial. The motion was overruled. A new trial date was set for June 25, 2003. Prior to trial, Vera then entered a no contest plea and was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. It is from this judgment that Vera appeals and raises the following assignment of error.
The trial court erred in denying [Vera's] motion to dismiss onthe grounds of a speedy trial violation, where [Vera] spent 38days in jail in lieu of bond awaiting trial.
{¶ 3} This court notes that the State has chosen not to file a brief in response to Vera's assignment of error.
If an appellee fails to file the appellee's brief within thetime provided by this rule, or within the time as extended, theappellee will not be heard at oral argument except by permissionof the court upon a showing of good cause submitted in writingprior to argument; and in determining the appeal, the court mayaccept the appellant's statement of the facts and issues ascorrect and reverse the judgment if appellant's brief reasonablyappears to sustain such action.
App.R. 18.
{¶ 4} In this case, Vera was incarcerated for 38 days prior to his originally scheduled trial. Pursuant to Ohio law, Vera had to be brought to trial within 90 days of his arrest. R.C.
{¶ 5} The judgments of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court are reversed and the defendant is ordered discharged.
Judgments reversed and defendant discharged.
Shaw, P.J., and Cupp, J., concur.
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