STET is a Latin term that means “let it stand.” According to the Baltimore County state’s attorney office, a STET is an indefinite postponement. A guilty verdict is not entered, but a STET is not an acquittal or dismissal. The charges remain; but they are not active in the system. So what is a STET and is it good or bad? With the law offices of Nick Del Pizzo, a Baltimore law firm, we can look into everything further.
A STET can be a good result
For example, in a recent case the charges against one of three men arrested in June after allegedly swiping a vehicle and fleeing from police in Ocean City were placed on the STET docket.
Keep in mind though there is no such thing as a free lunch. In order to get the STET, the defendant will have to waive his right to a speedy trial if the case is re-opened. In many instances it will be re-opened if the accused is arrested on a new charge.
If a STET is re-opened and set for trial, then the accused cannot claim that his right to a speedy trial under state and federal law has been violated.
In obtaining a STET, the defendant may be asked to accept conditions laid down by the court such a fulfilling community service hours, undergoing counseling or making restitution within a certain period. When the conditions are completed, the STET will be opened, and the charges dismissed. If the conditions are not met, the case will probably be opened again and the State will probably continue the prosecution of the case.
A STET can be opened for three years; but, in the second and third years, the standard that the state must meet in opening up the STET becomes more difficult. During the first year, a case on the STET docket can be re-opened for any reason. During the second and third years, however, the STET can only be opened by filing a motion and showing “good cause.”
After three years, the case can be expunged. Expungement is a process that allows the accused to ask the court to remove certain kinds of court and police records from public view.
About The Law Offices of Nick Del Pizzo
At the Law Offices of Nick Del Pizzo, we make ourselves available for our clients in a variety of case types. Ranging from foreclosure, bankruptcy, personal injury or medical malpractice. Whatever your legal need is, we are there for you, seven days a week. Your case becomes our cause, and we will seek the best resolution possible.