In addition to representing our clients in their individual cases, one of the most gratifying experiences to the members of this firm is to prevail on a constitutional issue which benefits thousands of criminally accused defendants. Over twenty -one years ago, we were honored to have successfully argued Doggett vs. United States, 505 U.S. 647 (1992) before the United States Supreme Court. Doggetthas become the bedrock case when courts are determining whether a person’s Sixth Amendment right to speedy arrest has been violated, and has been cited in thousands of decisions on this issue.
On June 19, 2013, Mr. Sheppard, with Ms. White as his co-counsel, had the opportunity to argue the Doggett issue before the Florida First District Court of Appeal in Niles v. State. The Niles court actively engaged in the argument and clearly was familiar with the issues relevant to the Doggett analysis. The video of this argument also illustrates the give and take nature of oral argument and the need for meticulous preparation in advance of such presentation. A decision is pending in the Niles case.