State v. Wills

OPINION

GRANT, Judge.

The state appeals from the trial court’s dismissal of this case with prejudice pursuant to Rule 16.5(d) of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure (“Ariz.R.Crim.P.”). Because we find that the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing the case with prejudice in the absence of a reasoned finding that the interests of justice required it, we reverse and remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

FACTS & PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On May 2, 1991, a Maricopa County grand jury returned an indictment charging appellee, Thomas Sanford…