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
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).
“Speedy trial” is a right, but a lot of defendants who know the evidence is against them, choose to wait it out, hoping that the charges will be dropped, the witnesses will forget details, some witnesses will move away (or die), etc. – all of which increase their chance of winning in trial or otherwise being truly free when released.
3+ years before trial means they committed murder or something that will result in decades of prison.
They are a risk to the public. Even if you are presumed innocent society does not need to take the risk that you are not innocent. So they are not released.
The Defendant wants to win his case so he takes as much time he needs to gather his evidence before doing a trial.
Latest Answers