TITLE C General Principles Relating to Requirements For and Exemptions From Criminal Prosecution ARTICLE 30 Timeliness of Prosecutions and Speedy Trial Standard 12-2.2 Commencement and setting of speedy trial time limit.A defendant's right to a speedy trial has constitutional and statutory underpinnings in addition to the Speedy Trial Act. IN GENERAL: Criminal Procedure Law § 30.30, also known as "statutory speedy trial," requires the prosecution to establish its readiness for trial on an. A defendant in a criminal case has a right to a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution. The right to a speedy trial also is crucial to ensuring that a criminal defendant receives a fair trial. The speedy trial guarantee means that the accused must be brought to trial or released within a reasonable amount of time. Courts must weigh the four Barker factors. Courts must weigh the four Barker factors. 1990) (Defense is not entitled to request a delay until a day certain and then insist the government proceed on that very day.