By AP
Louisville, KY – The Kentucky Supreme Court has adopted a new rule to speed up state criminal courts by requiring judges to review inactive cases once a year.
The rule was shaped by an advisory panel of Circuit Court judges. It gives Criminal Court judges the power to dismiss cases that have stalled for a years.
The state administrative office of the courts announced the new rule Tuesday. It takes effect January 1st.
Under the rule, judges would send notice to attorneys involved in a stalled case.
The notice would warn that the case faces dismissal in 30 days unless attorneys can show a good reason for the delay, such as prolonged scientific testing.
Under the rule, a case would be dismissed without prejudice, which gives prosecutors the opportunity to re-open it in the future.