Criminal Justice System: Differences Between The Rich And The Poor

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The policies of the criminal justice system are economically biased and racially discriminatory. This results in the poor and minorities being disproportionately arrested and imprisoned. They are also more likely to receive harsher and longer sentences. The system “weeds out the wealthy” by not punishing the crimes committed by the rich (a.k.a White Collar Crimes) as severely as those committed by the poor. This discriminatory process is explained using a transmission belt and a funnel. There are two separate belts for the poor and the rich. The transmission belt of the poor, is easier to ride and rather difficult to fall off along with shorter orders into prison. While the belt of the rich is much slower and exiting the belt is easier. The funneling occurs during the sentencing process. The population of people who go through the funnel (the criminal justice system) is relatively large; however, as the process continues, this group grows smaller. At the end of the funnel, all who is left is the poor and the racially disadvantaged. An example which supports the reason for differential treatment of the rich and the poor, is the class difference and access to resources. This can include a chance at getting a high profile lawyer or paying their bail. This also includes living situations of those in poverty. It is more likely for arrests for drugs to occur in inner cities opposed to the suburbs.

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