> By the way, I saw some stats recently about how few cases actually go
> to trial now (at the state/local level as well as the federal).
> Defendants are threatened with long prison terms and encouraged to
> agree to a plea bargain, which nets them just a few years behind
> bars. Anyone see these? I can't recover them...
If this PBS documentary (which you can watch online) doesn't have what you're looking for, I'm sure you can find it in the comprehensive "Readings & Links" page.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/plea