---
title: "Speedy Trial Act Time Limits and Sanctions"
citation: "18 U.S.C. §§ 3161–3162"
authority_id: "AUTH-USC-18-3161-3162"
authority_type: "statute"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding_enacted_positive_law_title"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/3161"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-USC-18-3161-3162/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Speedy Trial Act Time Limits and Sanctions

## Propositions supported

Section 3161 supplies the charging and trial clocks and exclusions. Section 3162 supplies dismissal sanctions, with-or-without-prejudice factors, the defense-motion requirement for the trial clock, and statutory waiver for failure to move before trial or plea.

## Material limitations

No case-specific computation is possible without the entire docket and all findings. Constitutional speedy-trial doctrine, Rule 48(b), local plans, and interpretation of particular exclusions require separate authority.

## Official sources

- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/3161>
- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/3162>


## Used in

- [Federal Charging and Commencement](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/10-investigation-and-charging/federal-charging-and-commencement.md)
- [Competency, Insanity Procedure, and Speedy Trial](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/competency-insanity-and-speedy-trial.md)