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My understanding is that most people opt to waive their right to a speedy trial after consulting with a lawyer. The reason is invoking the right guarantees the prosecutor will go hard in the paint pressing the maximum possible charges and generally making the defendant's life as unpleasant as possible.

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That's a significant problem. A right that is very risky to invoke is effectively denied.

That’s how the right to a jury of peers works now too - you’re expected to take a plea deal, and prosecutors threaten more charges and ask for longer sentences if someone won’t take a deal.

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