The Constraints to a Speedy Trial: The Case of Sidama Zone High Court

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to appraise the enforcement of the right of accused persons to speedy trial in the Sidama Zone; specifically, to find out the organ responsible for the violation of the right, the courts as an institution or individual judges, to pinpoint the measures that can be taken to enforce the right to speedy trial, and to assess the interpretive approaches adopted for “reasonable time” by courts. From unnecessarily given adjournments of the selected cases five major of reasons for the delay of trial are identified: reasons related with the court, reasons related with the police and the public prosecutors, reasons related with the accused, reasons related with prisons and unsuccessful restorative justice system. The result shows that the court renders judgment in a speedy manner for appeal cases because it gives very short adjournments with fewer adjournments in number. However, with respect to direct suits: the writer concludes that the Sidama Zone High Court is not delivering speedy trial for its clients.