> But that doesn't change the overall point -- that sitting in jail for weeks or months, perhaps even years pre-trial will likely destroy most folks' life and livelihood.

Agreed, and no one should be okay with living in a system where its so common that weeks or even a few months is a person's breaking point.

Years is excessive, though in any jurisdiction I know of a person wouldn't be help pre-trial for years if they are demanding their speedy trial. I would like it to be commonplace for people to have cushion on the order of months, I wouldn't necessarily expect years of cushion.