§ 136.285 Priority in trial schedule for defendants in custody

If a person charged with a crime is sitting in jail waiting for trial, the court will try to get that person's trial scheduled before the trials of people who were released while waiting for their court date. The idea is that someone stuck in custody shouldn't have to wait longer than necessary just because other cases got scheduled first.

That said, this isn't an absolute rule. Every defendant, whether they're in custody or out on release, has the right to a trial without unreasonable delay. So courts try to move jailed defendants' cases forward first, but they still have to make sure everyone's case gets handled fairly and promptly, regardless of custody status.

In short, being in jail while awaiting trial can actually help you get a quicker court date, since judges are supposed to prioritize those cases when they build their schedules.