– Why do people spend so much time in jail awaiting trial?

Question

I keep hearing about people in jail for 3+ years awaiting trial. If they’re ‘innocent until proven guilty’ I dont understand why they are confined. I thought there was a right to a speedy trial also or is that not really the case?

In: 235

Answer 1

The longer they sit in jail awaiting the trial they may win, the more likely they are to enter a guilty plea in hopes of getting probation (often with onerous conditions most are bound to violate).