What is the "right to a speedy trial"?

What is the "right to a speedy trial"?

A defendant has a constitutional right to a speedy trial. That usually applies to people in custody and it applies to out of custody also, but a person has a right to a speedy trial. On a misdemeanor that means they have the right to a trial within 45 days. If it's a felony, they have a right to a preliminary hearing within 100 days. And then after, if they're held to answer on that charge at a preliminary hearing, they have a right to an arraignment within 14 days, and then a trial within 6 days after that. These are very specific constitutionally set time periods for speedy trials. Often within the process time is waived and people give up their speedy trial rights to try to resolve the case or give their attorneys more time to conduct interviews or get evidence.