(a) After a plea, finding or verdict of guilty against the defendant, the court shall order his detention or release as provided by § 40.85 and shall appoint a time for pronouncing judgment, which must be within 21 days after the plea, finding or verdict. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the court may extend the period provided in Subsection (a); (1) Not more than 10 days for the purpose of hearing or determining any motion for a new trial or in arrest of judgment; (2) For such period as is necessary to permit preparation of the presentence report provided by § 80.12 of the Criminal and Correctional Code; or (3) If in the opinion of the court there is a reasonable ground for believing the defendant to be incompetent to be proceeded against, until the question of incompetency has been heard and determined as provided by § 7.40 of the Criminal and Correctional Code. NOTE: Section 120.14 supersedes former §§ 1152 and 1191 and the first two sentences of former Rule 32(a). Compare Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(a); Cal.
Pen Code §§ 1166, 1191. Former Rule 32(a) authorized the court to either commit or release on bail a convicted defendant; Similar authority is provided by Section 40.85. See also former § 1152. For Rule 32(a) did not provide specific time limits for pronouncing sentence but merely required that sentence be imposed without unreasonable delay. Section 1191, on the other hand, provided a very short time limit for pronouncing judgment subject to certain exceptions. Section 120.14 adopts an approach similar to former § 1191, i.e., definite guidelines are provided; however, the basic period is extended from three to 21 days and an additional exception is provided to permit time for a presentence report to be prepared. See 9 GCA §§ 80.12-80.14 (presentence report).