there is no debate that our criminal justice system has incidence of inequality based on the defendant's economic and/or social class. folks charged with a crime who are financially capable of hiring the best defense attorney will likely not face time in stripe city.
that being said, the times when the city's elite were immune from being prosecuted for illegal conduct is pretty much history. thank the fourth estate who are like a bunch of piranhas after the story and not letting it go away.
as for why people make the turn to being criminal, that's not an easy answer to find. breakdown in family certainly has an influence, as does the criminal's belief that they have little to lose. add to that the times when the criminal actually believes they can get away with the crime and the crime of passion, that basket includes most of the reasons.
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