Q: How long can a federal judge pend a ruling for a detention hearing
How long can a federal judge not rule on a detention hearing ? We had a detention hearing in court 3 weeks ago with the judge taking it under advisement but not ruling on it. We haven’t heard anything since then. When I asked our attorney he told me it doesn’t matter she will rule when she rules. How long can this take? Is it common for a private attorney to respond as so when I ask questions?
A:
In the context of federal court proceedings, there isn't a specific, legally mandated time frame within which a judge must issue a ruling following a detention hearing. The duration can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case, the judge's schedule, and the volume of cases before the court. It's not uncommon for decisions to take several weeks or even longer.
Your attorney's response, although it might seem dismissive, is not uncommon in legal practice. Lawyers often experience delays in court rulings and might adopt a patient approach as a result. It's crucial, however, for your attorney to keep you informed and explain the procedural aspects and potential timelines of your case.
If you're concerned about the delay or the lack of communication from your attorney, it's reasonable to express these concerns directly. Ask for a meeting or a detailed update on your case's status and the expected timelines. Understanding that the legal process can be slow and unpredictable might help manage your expectations, but you also have the right to be kept informed about your legal matters.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
