Kalief Browder

[Benton]

In courtrooms I've been in, it's not uncommon for minor cases to take six months to a year before they see a resolution. Just my opinion, but the resolutions most often were plea deals because, guilty or innocent, the person arrested had already served at least half the sentence and would have had a chance at getting out anyway. It's easier on everybody to plead a case out than to have to present witnesses, evidence and testimony before the judge. So they plea out and get on with their life, guilty or innocent.

More severe crimes are different — although I think they tend to plead out more, too — but it seems like that was a factor in drug possession, shoplifting, bad checks, minor theft, domestic disturbances, etc.