What is speedy trial in Florida and how long is it?

Florida's rule gives defendants the right to be brought to trial within 90 days for a misdemeanor and 175 days for a felony.

The 2025 amendment changed when that clock starts. The Florida Supreme Court amended the rule effective July 1, 2025, so that the period begins when formal charges are filed rather than at arrest.

That's a meaningful shift. A person arrested and held while the State reviews the case may be in custody for weeks before the speedy trial clock begins running at all. Separate rules govern how long charges can be pending before filing.

Most published Florida content still describes the old rule — 175 days from arrest. If you're reading a page that says that, check its date.

The remedy structure also changed, described in the next answers.

Time can be waived or tolled by defense continuances, unavailability, and other circumstances, which is why the calendar date rarely tells the whole story.