In Canada, Section 11 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies. If you get charged with something, the prosecution is expected to schedule a trial date within six months of the sworn information date. If you aren't tried within 18 months of being charged (30 months for Superior Court cases), you walk free. There are exceptions if the defense asks for a delay. About 200 criminal cases a year get tossed for exceeding the limits, including murder charges.