Lawyers for Tiffany Haddish have filed a motion in a Georgia court to dismiss her 2022 driving under the influence arrest, arguing that prolonged delays violate her constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Details of the 2022 Arrest

Authorities arrested the 46-year-old actress and comedian in the early hours of January 14, 2022, in Peachtree City, Georgia. Police responded to reports of a driver asleep at the wheel on a highway. Officers pulled Haddish over after she stopped in the yard of a nearby home and took her into custody. She was booked at Fayette County Jail and released after posting a $1,666 bond.

Arguments for Case Dismissal

Haddish’s legal team contends that the case’s slow progress amounts to ‘presumptively prejudicial’ under Georgia law. A motion to suppress evidence occurred on May 2, 2024, but the court has issued no rulings more than two years later. Prosecutors sought continuances in March and May of the previous year.

The defense has declared readiness for trial at least 10 times and followed up with the court on 12 occasions regarding pending decisions. Attorneys emphasize that fading memories over time undermine the case’s reliability.

In the filing, Haddish’s lawyers state: “She respectfully requests that the court find that this substantial delay without any apparent justification was in violation of her constitutional rights to a speedy trial under the United States and Georgia Constitutions and that the accusation against her be dismissed.”

Impact on Haddish’s Career and Travel

The ongoing case has cost Haddish financial opportunities from lost business deals. It has also hindered international travel, particularly for filming in Australia recently. “She has had difficulty obtaining the proper travel documents to work in certain countries who see a pending case as a concern; most recently Australia, within the past couple of months,” her attorneys note. She has relied on expensive third-party assistance to address these travel issues.

Upcoming Hearing and Prior Incident

A motion hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on November 7 in Fayette County. Haddish faced another driving-related arrest on November 24, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California, where police found her asleep in her vehicle with the engine running on Beverly Drive. Officers suspected marijuana influence and charged her with improper stopping on a roadway. She pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received probation.