Depending upon the nature of the reason needed for the continuance, the judge can allow varying amounts of time. This article will only cover a request to continue a hearing to retain counsel.
When defendant is seeking time to secure counsel (a constitutional right under the Sixth Amendment), the judge is allowed to grant “reasonable time” under Penal Code § 859 for defendant to retain counsel at the arraignment or under Penal Code § 860 at the preliminary hearing (for a felony case).
People v. Courts (1985) 37 Cal.3d 784, 789, 210 Cal.Rptr. 193;
People v. Byoune (1966) 65 Cal.2d 345, 54 Cal.Rptr. 749.
“Reasonable time” is not defined for a delay at the arraignment stage, but two weeks to even 30 days is commonly granted. At the preliminary hearing, the hearing must be postponed “for not less than two nor more than five days.” Penal Code § 860.
In requesting time to hire counsel, defendant should be aware that a judge may inquire into defendant’s financial ability to do so.
People v. Lewis (1971) 19 Cal.App.3d 1019, 1024, 97 Cal.Rptr. 419 (a judge can set a hearing on defendant’s ability to pay a fine). This is not illegal, although one may be shocked to have a judge require defendant to submit a financial statement to the court. Penal Code § 987(c); Gov’t Code § 27707 (court can require defendant to file financial statement under penalty of perjury to determine whether defendant “is financially able to employ counsel and qualifies for the services of a public defender").
Our interpretation of these provisions are to give the court an ability to prevent delays in the proceedings by a defendant really hoping to delay proceedings for an ulterior purpose, i.e. for a witness to be intimidated or hidden, for evidence to be destroyed, for an investigator to continue working, and not truly to hire counsel.
Under Penal Code § 987(c), this financial statement is inadmissible in any criminal proceeding except one based on perjury for false information in the form itself. The prosecutor may not receive a copy of this statement unless investigating perjury.
It is worth noting that when a judge has given defendant a reasonable period of time to secure counsel and defendant does not make a good faith effort to obtain an attorney, the judge is entitled to deny defendant’s motion for a further continuance to obtain counsel.
Byoune, supra, at 346.
For more information about speedy trial issues, please click on the following articles:
- Why Hire a Private Attorney? Why Shouldn’t One Use the Public Defender?
- What Information Should I Expect in a Free Consultation?
- Why Hire Greg Hill & Associates? Why Not Hire Someone Else?
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