CPL § 30.20

Speedy trial; in general

§ 30.20 Speedy trial; in general.

1. After a criminal action is commenced, the defendant is entitled to a speedy trial.

2. Insofar as is practicable, the trial of a criminal action must be given preference over civil cases; and the trial of a criminal action where the defendant has been committed to the custody of the sheriff during the pendency of the criminal action must be given preference over other criminal actions.

Official sourcehttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CPL/30.20

In plain English

1. After commencement, the defendant is entitled to a speedy trial. ★
2. Criminal trials get preference over civil cases; and cases where the defendant is in custody get preference over other criminal cases.

Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.

In print

This provision appears in Volume 3 — The JG-22 Criminal Procedure Law and in Volume 1 — The JG-22 in Plain English.