Rich Vs. Poor: The American Judicial System

Rich v.s Poor
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe”(Douglas). The American judicial system which has undergone many changes since its colonial times has evolved with the changing times to reflect a modern society, however even with the changes that the judicial system has undergone it still faces a key critical point that continues to undermine the laws and justices from which our society is based. The glaring point is the differentiating treatment between the rich and the poor. In the judicial system the rich are given substantial leniency with corresponding
An article published by NPR shows how many prison systems are overcrowded with prisoners who have yet to face trial and merely face pre-trial detention, because they are unable to make bail. One such individual is Leslie Chew, who was arrested for stealing three thirty dollar blankets in december 2008, he had been in Lubbock county jail for a little over 185 days in jail six months. This only due to the fact that he was unable to pay bail, which was $3,500 dollars. Many would argue that America is one of few countries that allow bondsmen to pay bail for a small non-refundable fee. This however also proves to be way past the means of those such as Leslie Chew who by trade is a handyman who lives in his car. The bondsman would have paid for Mr. Chews bail for the fee of $350 dollars this however is well above the means of Mr. Chew. This is similar to many who face pre-trial detention while they await trial. On the reverse side many of those who are able to make bail are able to continue their daily routine while awaiting trial, while many of those who don't make bail face the consequence of losing jobs and everything they
Chew in jail for six months was about $7,068, this taken into account as well as the fact the Mr. Chew is just one of many similar cases reveal how and why many prisons face overcrowding. Many of those who face pretrial detention are their from non-violent non-felony to felony crimes. This in turn also shows how those who are finally able to have a trial within the court receive sentences that will usually reflect the crime, that also includes no prison sentences for misdemeanors and non-felony crimes. Then there are the trials of those who have money, they receive lenient sentencing which most of the time does not include prison