The report begins with the criminal investigation, discussing confessions and admissions, tape recording interviews with suspects, and identification. The impact of decisions made about charging and prosecution on trial length is analyzed, with attention to a case's strength, complexity of charges, and charge overloading. The report surveys pretrial disclosure and review procedures to determine whether shorter, cheaper trials can be achieved by dealing with issues at the pretrial stage that might occupy unnecessary amounts of time at trial. Other topics examined are sentencing discount (the concept that a guilty plea may bring a lesser sentence than conviction after a trial) and plea negotiations. In examining the trial's legal machinery, the report focuses on changes to processes within the basic structure and roles of the key legal actors. Recommendations conclude the report. Chapter notes.