bett betterman versus montana. mr. rowley. >> the speedy trial clause applies to a criminal prosecution through the culmination and sentencing. it's not cut off when the defendant pleads or is found not guilty. the clause guarantees a early and proper disposition of a criminal charge and that applies to the guilt stage of a prosecution when most defendants plead guilty and to the sentencing stage, which may be the only place in a criminal prosecution today, when a defendant mounts a defense. >> does the federal speedy trial act, does it cover sentencing or limited to trial? >> your honor, my understanding is that it's limited to trial. the court has recognized specific interests that are protected by the speedy trial clause and those interests apply not to presumptively innocent defendants, as the state and government suggest, but also to guilty defendants. one of the interests that is protected by the clause is the interest in rehabilitation and that a pro longed period of detention in jail can affect a defendant's re

betterman versus montana. mr. rowley. >> mr. chief justice and may it please the court, the speedy trial clause applies to a criminal prosecution through its culmination and sentencing. it's not cut off when the defendant pleads or is found guilty. the clause guarantees a early and proper disposition of a criminal charge and that applies to the guilt stage of a prosecution when most defendants plead guilty and to the sentencing stage, which may be the only place in a criminal prosecution today, when a defendant mounts a defense. >> does the federal speedy trial act, does it cover sentencing or limited to trial? >> your honor, my understanding is that it's limited to trial. the court has recognized specific interests that are protected by the speedy trial clause and those interests apply not to presumptively innocent defendants, as the state and united states suggest, but some of them apply specifically to guilty defendants. in barker for instance the court notes that one of the interests that is protected by this clause is the i