U.S. District Judge David Hittner's ruling Wednesday denied a motion by Stanford's attorneys for a continuance until April. The ruling means jury selection will begin Jan. 23.
Stanford has been jailed since being charged in 2009 with bilking investors out of $7 billion in a massive Ponzi scheme.
Hittner's ruling said Stanford has adequate legal representation and that the need for a speedy trial is particularly acute because of the thousands of investors affected.
Hittner ruled last week that Stanford is competent to stand trial. That ruling came after a three-day hearing in which Stanford's attorneys argued that a traumatic brain injury and other disorders prevented him from assisting in his defense.
