Do We have a Two Tiered Justice System? (illegal, attorney, conspiracy)

[Mistermobile]

Justice System = Rule of Law in the USA = kidnapping someone for ransom is not a career alternative here = we are not lawless = one law applies to everyone

Lately. on the public stage, we have seen how Hillary Clinton has been excused from prosecution for violation of a federal statute which prohibits anyone from exposing our State secrets through their gross negligence.

Gross negligence is a conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or both. So gross negligence is that standard of care and written into law. But Comey changed it. Ouch!

By the way the federal statute reads, just to disregard the encrypted, VPN government network and use the Internet like you or me is a FELONY for someone in her position. The act itself is a "no-no." Forget about its dire consequences.

Then there is the Clinton Foundation and the pay for play controversy.

Poor Hillary. It's that darn right wing conspiracy. But good news. Hillary has skated so far and is looking forward to the statute of limitations to seal the deal.

In contrast: A non-elite was convicted under the same statute. In court, sailor Saucier acknowledged that he took six photos of his work station aboard an attack submarine. He said the reason was not to jeopardize sensitive information about the vessel, but instead to keep as a memento of his time on board.

Former Machinist's Mate 1st Class Kristian Saucier, was pardoned by President Donald Trump after serving a year in prison for illegally photographing his work station aboard a submarine.

So yeah, the US has a two tiered justice system.

[remco67]

We have always had a two tier justice system. The wealthy get Perry Mason, everyone else crosses their fingers and hopes their public defender gets lucky.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Pardons are not part of the justice system.... it's an independent act of the executive branch.

On paper everything is equal regarding justice.... however this does not guarantee equal outcome. So each situation must stand upon it's won merits and the facts, as the court determines. Our justice system is very good, but not perfect.

Justice is getting what you deserve (good or bad)
Mercy is not getting what you deserve
Grace is getting something good you don't deserve

The best the courts can do is administer justice or mercy.

[prospectheightsresident]

Yes.

One for folks like Crooked Hillary and another for the rest of us

Seriously, though, if you have money and connections, you'll have an easier time going through the criminal justice system process, if you even go through it at all. But a lot of this comes from the ability to hire counsel who will be dedicated to defending you full time. Prosecutors simply cannot bring every case to trial due to the sheer large number of cases they'd have and the Constitution's guarantee of a speedy trial. Thus the wealthier or well to do get a leg up as prosecutors are more likely to offer a more favorable plea deal (if they even charge at all) instead of going to trial against a high powered defense attorney, which would eat up other resources. Of course, even indigent clients get better deals than if they went to trial due to what I wrote above, but its still not quite the same.