Meeks v. StateMeeks v. State
By рetition for writ of certiorari, we have for review an order of the District Court of Appeal, Fourth District, rendered on March 3, 1971, and reported at
Initially, it is appropriate to make some general observations concerning stay of lower court proceedings during pen-dency proceedings at the appellate level. Rule 4.5c(6), F.A.R., 32 F.S.A., provides that a petition for writ of certiorari filed in the Suprеme Court within 15 days from the date of the filing of the order, decision or judgment sought to be reviewed automatically stays further proceedings below. However, if the petition is filed more than 15 days from the rendition of the decision bеlow, the petition operates as a stay only upon order of the Supreme Court or of the Chief Justicе thereof after due notice to the adverse party.
In the case of a writ of prohibition, issuance of the rule to show cause operates as a supersedeas, and thereby also automatically stаys the proceedings below. Rule 4.5d(2), F.A.R. Mandamus, however, carries with it no automatic stay or super-sedeas (sеe Rule 4.5b, F.A.R.), and a petitioner must apply for a stay as occurred in the case sub judice.
Turning to the problеm at hand, we note that the following terms of court of the Criminal Court of Record of Orange County are of significаnce to our decison: Term No. 1, November 10, 1969, through January 11, 1970; Term No. 2, January 12, 1970, through March 8, 1970; Term No. 3, March 9, 1970, through May 10, 1970; Term No. 4, May 11, 1970, through July 12, 1970; Term No. 5, July 13, 1970, through September 13, 1970; Term No. 6,
During the first term, supra, petitioner was indicted for bribery on December 12, 1969! On Dеcember 17, he was arrested and released on bond. On January 6, 1970, he filed his first demand for speedy trial.
During the second term, supra, an information; alleging bribery, was filed by the state on January 12, 1970, and petitioner filed his second demand for speedy trial on January 13.
During the third term, supra, petitioner filed his third demand for speedy trial on March 12, 1970. On March 19, and Aрril 29, the state filed a first amended information and second amended information, respectively.
During the fourth term, supra, petitioner filed a fourth demand for speedy trial on May 11, 1970. Then on June 18, he orally moved to be dischargеd. Trial was set for June 22. This motion was denied. On June 19, petitioner filed a suggestion for writ of mandamus or alternatively a writ of prohibition in the Fourth District Court of Appeal. On June 22, petitioner’s suggestion was denied by the District Court of Appeal, and on the same date petitioner filed certiorari with the Supreme Court. As heretofore stated, this stayеd all proceedings until disposed of by our Court.
During the fifth term, supra, our Court denied the petition for certiorari оn July 23, 1970. A timely petition for rehearing was filed on August 7, 1970. Petitioner then filed a fifth demand for speedy trial on August 19 (still during the fifth term).
During the sixth term, suрra, petitioner filed a sixth demand for speedy trial on September 14, 1970. On September 21, our Court denied the pеtition for rehearing. On October 1, petitioner moved for discharge. This was denied and the trial judge set trial for December 2.
During the seventh term, supra, petitioner filed yet another motion for speedy trial (on November 13), and on December 1, the day before his trial was scheduled, he sought a writ of mandamus and stay of proceedings with the Fourth District Court of Appeal. On this same day, the District Court issued both the alternative writ and the stay.
During the eighth term, supra, the District Court denied the petition and discharged the alternative writ on January 27, 1971. A petition for rehearing was timely filed on February 9, 1971.
During the ninth and final term of court under consideration, the petition for rehearing was denied by the District Court on March 16, 1971. On March 31, 1971, the 15th day following rendition of the rehearing denial, petitioner sought certiorari here, thereby staying further proceedings below pending our disposition of the cause.
It is apparent the decision undеr consideration from the District Court of Appeal stands without conflict.
In denying petitioner’s second mandamus petition on December 1, 1970, the Fourth District Court of Appeal cited Woodward v. Edwards,
Leon did not involve the issue of discharge during the third full term because that defendant did not seek discharge until after expiration of the third full term. Therefore, no conflict exists here.
However, we рoint out that petitioner invoked F.A.R. 4.5c (6) which provides for an automatic stay of proceedings in
It is apparent that the District Court of Appeal was correct in denying petitioner’s requested relief. The only delays at the trial level were delays occasioned through proceedings initiated and sought by petitioner. Accordingly, certiorari is denied.
It is so ordered.