State v. Ralph Vernon G.

When the State amends an information the day before the date set for trial, adding new charges of sexual abuse involving additional victims, and the record shows the State was aware of the factual basis for the charges for nearly a month, is a defendant’s right to a speedy trial violated if the defendant must agree to a continuance beyond the speedy trial date to enable defense counsel to prepare to meet the new charges? We decide this violates the speedy trial provisions of CrR 3.3 and reverse.

We also decide whether the trial court abused its discretion by requiring Ralph G. to proceed with…