SPEEDY TRIAL CASE LAW IS ANALYZED PRIMARILY THROUGH ITS DEVELOPMENT IN THE CIRCUIT COURTS OF APPEALS AND TRACING RELATED SUPREME COURT DECISIONS. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS ACCORDED FACTORS ENUNCIATED IN BARKER V WINGO (1972), AND INCONSISTENCIES ARISING FROM ITS INTERPRETATION. THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE SPEEDY TRIAL ACT OF 1974 IS EXPLORED AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS, ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR DELAY, AND SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATION AND OBSTRUCTION ARE EXPLAINED. PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ARISE THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT ARE EXAMINED, ITS IMPACT ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED, AND SUPPLEMENTAL MEASURES ARE IDENTIFIED.