STATE of Florida ex rel. Lender Lee MAINES and Charlie B. Brown, Petitioners, v. The Honorable Paul BAKER, One of the Judges of the Criminal Court of Record, in and for Dade County, Florida, Respondent.
Nos. 41603, 41609
Supreme Court of Florida
October 20, 1971
Rehearing Denied November 29, 1971
254 So. 2d 207
Alvin N. Weinstein, Miami, for respondent.
OPINION
ADKINS, Justice.
This is an original proceeding in mandamus involving the constitutionality of
Because of the public interest involved and the necessity of a speedy determination, this Court, in its discretion, has dispensed with oral argument.
Petitioners were arrested on December 20, 1970, prior to the effective date of this rule, incarcerated, and have remained in jail without bail.
An information charging petitioners with five counts of robbery and one count of
On September 27, 1971, the last day on which petitioners could be tried under the Speedy Trial rule, a jury panel was sworn in the morning, at which time the Clerk of the Court propounded certain questions and the Court excused certain jurors from service. Neither the prosecuting attorney, petitioners nor petitioners’ counsel were present during this proceeding. Subsequently, at 8:30 p.m., during the evening of September 27, 1971, jurors from this panel were called for the trial of petitioners. There was no further oath administered to the jury, but the voir dire examination for the selection of the trial jury proceeded until 11:15 p.m. that night. The panel was exhausted through the use of peremptory challenges and the case was recessed until the following morning.
On the following day, petitioners filed their motion for discharge pursuant to
“The practice and procedure in all courts shall be governed by rules adopted by the supreme court.”
The questioned rule merely provides the procedures through which the constitutional right to a speedy trial is enforced in this state, and, as such, is a proper exercise of the Court‘s constitutional power to promulgate rules of practice and procedure. See State v. Garcia, 229 So.2d 236, 238 (Fla. 1969), where the Court discusses “substantive law” and “procedural law.” The rule does not violate the Constitution, but is in full accord with its provisions.
A question arises as to whether trial commenced on September 27, 1971, the last day for trial under the rule. The following provision in the rule seems clear:
“(a) (3). Commencement of Trial. —
A person shall be deemed to have been brought to trial if the trial commences within the time herein provided. The trial is deemed to have commenced when the trial jury panel is sworn for voir dire examination, or, upon waiver of a jury trial, when the trial proceedings begin before the judge.” In re Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, 245 So.2d 33 (Fla. 1971).
It is elementary that a trial jury panel is first sworn before any questions (a voir dire examination) are asked the jurors. It is admitted that the trial jury was sworn and voir dire examination began on the last day. The trial in the case sub judice commenced on September 27, 1971.
The trial judge expresses some concern as to when a trial commences upon waiver of a jury. It is elementary that “trial proceedings begin before the judge” when the defendant and his counsel, together with the prosecutor, appear before the judge for the purpose of presenting the merits of the case.
State v. Melendez, 244 So.2d 137 (Fla. 1971), stating that a trial commences when the trial jury is sworn, did not relate to
The dissatisfaction of the trial judge with the rule in question is adequately expressed in his brief. Some of his questions were answered in State ex rel. Hanks and Seymour v. Goodman, Fla., 253 So.2d 129, opin. filed October 6, 1971.
From the above, it is apparent that the constitutionality of the rule was not before
The alternative writ of mandamus is discharged and the petition for mandamus dismissed, and jeopardy not having been attached, the trial may proceed.
It is so ordered.
ROBERTS, C.J., and ERVIN, CARLTON, BOYD and DEKLE, JJ., concur.