Comment by spinlock

The problem is that our system is incredibly racist and classist. Here's an example of a teenager who spent 3 years at Ryker's Island before his trial: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/06/before-the-law. If he had plead guilty, he would have spent _less_ time in prison. The poor don't get to sit at home and wait for their trial, they get to sit in prison and wait for their trial. The rich get to go home and live their lives while their lawyers push back.