410
Opinion of the Court
in all types of cases. Some States also extended the time period for filing new trial motions beyond the term of court, but most States required that such motions be made within a few days after the verdict was rendered or before the judgment was entered. See American Law Institute Code of Criminal Procedure 1040-1042 (Official Draft 1931) (reviewing contemporary new trials rules).
The practice in the States today, while of limited relevance to our historical inquiry, is divergent. Texas is one of 17 States that requires a new trial motion based on newly discovered evidence to be made within 60 days of judgment.8 One State adheres to the common-law rule and requires that such a motion be filed during the term in which judgment was rendered.9 Eighteen jurisdictions have time limits ranging between one and three years, with 10 States and the District of Columbia following the 2-year federal time limit.10
8 Ala. Code § 15-17-5 (1982) (30 days); Ariz. Rule Crim. Proc. 24.2(a) (1987) (60 days); Ark. Rule Crim. Proc. 36.22 (1992) (30 days); Fla. Rule Crim. Proc. 3.590 (1992) (10 days); Haw. Rule Penal Proc. 33 (1992) (10 days); Ill. Rev. Stat., ch. 38, ¶ 116-1 (1991) (30 days); Ind. Rule Crim. Proc. 16 (1992) (30 days); Mich. Ct. Rule Crim. Proc. 6.431(A)(1) (1992) (42 days); Minn. Rule Crim. Proc. 26.04(3) (1992) (15 days); Mo. Rule Crim. Proc. 29.11(b) (1992) (15-25 days); Mont. Code Ann. § 46-16-702(2) (1991) (30 days); S. D. Codified Laws § 23A-29-1 (1988) (10 days); Tenn. Rule Crim. Proc. 33(b) (1992) (30 days); Tex. Rule App. Proc. 31(a)(1) (1992) (30 days); Utah Rule Crim. Proc. 24(c) (1992) (10 days); Va. Sup. Ct. Rule 3A:15(b) (1992) (21 days); Wis. Stat. § 809.30(2)(b) (1989-1990) (20 days).
9 Miss. Cir. Ct. Crim. Rule 5.16 (1992).
10 Alaska Rule Ct., Crim. Rule 33 (1988) (two years); Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-270, 52-582 (1991) (three years); Del. Ct. Crim. Rule 33 (1987) (two years); D. C. Super. Ct. Crim. Rule 33 (1992) (two years); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 22-3501 (1988) (two years); La. Code Crim. Proc. Ann., Art. 853 (West 1984) (one year); Maine Rule Crim. Proc. 33 (1992) (two years); Md. Rule Crim. Proc. 4-331(c) (1992) (one year); Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2103 (1989) (three years); Nev. Rev. Stat. § 176.515(3) (1991) (two years); N. H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 526:4 (1974) (three years); N. M. Rule Crim. Proc. 5-614(c) (1992) (two years); N. D. Rule Crim. Proc. 33(b) (1992-1993) (two years); Okla. Ct. Rule Crim. Proc., ch. 15, § 953 (1992) (one year); R. I. Super. Ct.
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