The Right to a Speedy Trial

Students in my Introduction to American Law class heard me say last week that the right to a speedy trial found in the U.S. Constitution is almost meaningless. I stand corrected, at least for the time being. Apparently, the Vermont Supreme Court recently ruled that a conviction had to be overturned and the defendant let free because he was not given a speedy trial. The case is currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, so my hunch is the right to a speedy trial will return to being meaningless once the Justices get through with this case.