Speedy Trial Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Speedy Trial.

Speedy Trial (n.): This refers to a legal right allowing a defendant to insist that their trial is carried out within a given timeframe, as per the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This rule safeguards against unnecessary delays, ensuring that individuals accused of a crime are not held for an unreasonable amount of time before their trial takes place. If the trial does not take place within this specified time frame, then the charges against the defendant may need to be dropped according to the 'due process' clause in the Fifth Amendment.