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Bloate v. United States

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
08-728 8th Cir. Oct 6, 2009
Mar 8, 2010 7-2 Thomas OT 2009

Holding: The Speedy Trial Act requires the government to bring a criminal defendant to trial within seventy days, with certain time excluded. The Court held that time spent preparing pretrial motions is not automatically excluded, but will be if the trial court properly granted a continuance of the trial in order to permit such motions.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas on March 8, 2010. Justice Alito dissented, joined by Justice Breyer.

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