Q: When a lawyer continuously asks for a continuation on a case, what help if any is that to the defendants case?
A: It can be helpful to the defense to delay. First, people cool down. Right when things happen the victim is often out for blood. Like anyone else, they cool off and move on to new business as time passes. A prosecutor is much more likely to give the defendant a break, if the victim isn't screaming for blood. Second, people forget stuff. If you're going to try a case, the defense tends to benefit a lot more from forgetfulness than the state. Third, people move, die, stop caring. Witnesses may become unavailable or simply not show up because its been so long. Again, that sort of stuff tends to help the defense. BUT, most importantly, the day charges are filed the state is usually pretty close to being ready for trial. Their investigators have done their work. They who the witnesses are and what they have to say. It's the defense that needs time to prepare.
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