People v. Jackson

The conduct of a criminal trial in accordance with an agreed-upon schedule offers benefits to both the prosecution and the defense, and reduces inconvenience to jurors. But there are times when a court’s concern for keeping to a promised schedule can abridge a defendant’s basic rights, and undermine the integrity and fairness of the trial itself. In the unusual circumstances of this case, I conclude that the trial court’s refusal to grant the defendant’s request for an additional one-day continuance to produce a proven alibi witness had that effect. Therefore, I respectfully dissent and would…