When it comes to crime and punishment, I believe everyone deserves a second chance. After all, that's why I believe the United States has developed the criminal justice system it has at present. If someone is proven to be guilty of a crime, they're sentenced to whatever is listed on the books as the punishment most fitting that crime. Then, after serving time in prison, on probation, or doing community service, the person is free to go about life the same way as every other citizen.
      While it's true that some parts of the population tend to be sentenced to harsher punishment for the same crimes committed by other parts, for the most part, the punishment does fit the crime. Those situations involving unequal justice bother me. It means there's something within the justice system that needs fixed. I'm not referring to the police, detectives, and others who enforce the laws because they're arresting people based on the letter of the law. If the sentence doesn't fit the crime or is harder on one group of people than the other, the fault lies with the attorneys and judges.
      I think there are enough people talking about the situations falling under the category I just mentioned. What's driving me crazy right now are the cases that go the other way . . . people getting away with lighter or no punishment for breaking the law while the "normal" people serve much longer jail sentences. The police often put their lives at risk to make an arrest, then the criminals get a free pass because they're famous and everyone knows them. A sports pro gets arrested for possession of cocaine and sentenced to rehab; the high school football coach gets jail time. A rock star gets arrested for drunk driving and gets sentenced to community service; the clerk at the grocery store gets jail time. Even when the celebrity does get jail time, they get put in some place that more resembles a resort; our "working stiff" neighbors get locked in a cell.
      These celebrities need to face the same punishment as anyone else because they are well-known and often in the public eye. First, because they broke the law; second, they can also serve as examples of  what happens when people break the law. People just don't learn if they never have to face the consequences of their actions. It's time we allow the police to get the criminals off the street . . . all of the criminals. And we need to keep the criminals where they belong to serve out their punishment and make everyone equal in the eyes of the justice system.
      As I said, the police often put their lives on the line to stop these criminals. I can't count the number of people within law enforcement who've been involved in car chases, attacked by the celebrity criminal, and have had to face the guns aimed at them by these people. Some of them have even been killed while conducting the investigations needed to make the initial or subsequent arrests. But what happens? The celebrities still get lighter sentences for no other reason than they're celebrities. The police do a great job, now it's time the rest of the legal system steps up to the plate and takes care of business.