A War of Skirmishes : Police victories often fall victim to bureaucratic red tape, legal rules, plea bargaining and jail crowding.

4 years: 5%

Sale of Marijuana

1 yr or less: 75%

2 years: 16%

3 years: 7%

4 years: 1%

Rock Cocaine Possession for Sale

1 yr or less: 74%

3 years: 15%

4 years: 7%

5 years: 4%

Narcotics Possession

1 yr or less: 73%

16 months: 17%

2 years: 7%

3 years: 3%

Source: Times research

Sentences for Non-Drug Crimes

Examples of four felony categories for which prison terms are prescribed by law show that there is wide variation in actual sentencing in Los Angeles County.

Auto Theft*

1 yr or less: 57%

16 months: 14%

2 years: 19%

3 years: 10%

Grand Theft**

1 yr or less: 65%

16 months: 13%

2 years: 19%

3 years: 3%

Commercial Burglaries (2nd degree)

1 yr or less: 45%

2 years: 45%

4 years: 6%

6 years: 4%

Assault With Deadly Weapon

1 yr or less: 44%

2 years: 15%

3 years: 20%

4 years: 20%

Source: Times research

* Filed as taking vehicle without permisson

** By statute, grand theft is theft of anything worth $400 or more. However, the L.A. County D.A.'s office usually will not file such charges unless the amount of loss exceeds $1,000--double that if the perpetrator has a clean arrest record.