California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Whitaker, 153 Cal.Rptr.3d 165, 213 Cal.App.4th 999 (Cal. App. 2013):
3. For purposes of section 1382, providing a statutory speedy trial right, trial begins when elements vital to undertaking a trial be present and the parties are ready to proceed[.] ( People v. Hajjaj (2010) 50 Cal.4th 1184, 11961197, 117 Cal.Rptr.3d 327, 241 P.3d 828; see Perryman v. Superior Court (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 767, 776, 46 Cal.Rptr.3d 306 ( Perryman ) [trial begins when jeopardy attaches ... or when the litigation of contested issues otherwise begins].) Had the trial not been deemed started at that time, the People would have had to show good cause for a continuance to secure their witnesses. ( Perryman, supra, 141 Cal.App.4th at pp. 777778, 46 Cal.Rptr.3d 306.)
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