Donald Smith, Petitioner v. the Superior Court of the City and County of San Francisco, Respondent; the People…

Summary

The court held that when one jointly charged defendant's trial is continued within the statutory 10-day grace period, the strong state interests in a joint trial constitute good cause to continue the codefendant's trial to the same date. Because the Legislature determined that the 10-day period is a reasonable time for bringing a case to trial, no additional particularized showing of good cause is required for the parallel continuance. The court therefore reversed the Court of Appeal's order directing dismissal of the charges. Justice Werdegar, concurring, agreed with the result but would have resolved the case solely by applying the plain language of the joinder statute.