Author: Ali Graupman
Editor: Kyra McKeska
Spring 2022
We often hear of high-status celebrities or the rich committing a crime, and the next thing we know, they are back to releasing music, filming movies, or living their luxurious lifestyles. However, on the other hand, if any ordinary person were to commit a similar crime, they would be locked away. Has the time come for us to acknowledge this inequality? The answer may come from delving deeper into illegal activities and their consequences, high-profile cases, and average crimes.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), some of the most frequently committed crimes are larceny, burglary, and aggravated assault (Gramlich). Typically, offenders commit illegal activities due to socioeconomic differences, poor childhood, home life, or trauma. Occasionally, sporadic one-time offenders act out of emotion, such as in abusive relationships or drug-related crimes. Nevertheless, crime occurs all the time, and it will persist. However, delving deeper into the types of crime and the differences between punishments could reveal an entirely different and often overlooked issue.
Upon searching the internet for crimes committed by celebrities, one will find no shortage of cases. One famous name who is currently under fire for his controversial social media posts regarding his ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her new partner Pete Davidson is Kanye West. Kanye West's name has been relentlessly publicized-but not in a positive manner. Allegedly, Kanye assaulted a fan and was under investigation for criminal battery. On top of this, the star failed to show remorse-as reported by Weslen. Instead, he proceeded to yell while the man lay on the ground. West and his representatives frequently blame the behavior on the stars' bipolar disorder (Reslen), and while this could contribute to his behavior, it should not justify his actions. Unsurprisingly, West settled the charges with compensation and a few anger management courses (Ross).
Another famous artist, Cardi B, was critiqued for parts of her past. The famous rapper confessed to her disturbing behavior. BBC stated, 'Cardi B is defending her claims of drugging and robbing men while working as a stripper.' Again, she defended herself by claiming she was engaging in such activities to survive. Whether or not these stories are true, it is nearly impossible to cipher the masses of protective walls celebrities can hide behind. Not only can celebrities avoid incarceration time, but government officials are also granted some of the same immunities as demonstrated by the Hillary Clinton scandal. Clinton was accused of fraudulent emails hidden from the White House in blatant violation of conduct (Maraniss), again demonstrating how people of higher socioeconomic status can evade the criminal justice system that others have to face. The countless examples of social and political elites avoiding punishment show that people of high class and high economic status receive preferential treatment in the criminal justice system.
For the most relevant and shocking data yet, several specific case studies address the inequalities between those of high status and the average criminal. The first tells the story of Sandra Bland and State Trooper Brian Encinia. In short, Bland was driving when Encinia quickly sped up behind her. Assuming the trooper was on an emergency call, Sandra quickly changed lanes. After failing to signal, Encinia pulled her over and aggressively apprehended her. The officer was aware of her epilepsy prior to arresting her. Sandra's bail was $5,000, and her family struggled to scrape the ten percent needed to secure her release. Sandra spent three days in jail, and on the third day, she hung herself in her cell.
However, disturbingly, a case involving a wealthy New York real estate agent ended differently. A man named Robert Durst was charged with the murder and dismemberment of his neighbor. While Sandra's bail was $5,000, Durst's bail was $300,000. Since Durst had a substantial income, he quickly paid the bail and was released. Later, the real estate agent got himself into further trouble by shoplifting. On top of this, his rental car contained mass amounts of cash, several handguns, and the driver's license of the murder victim. Durst quickly hired a well-known lawyer, and although he admitted to the murder, he was acquitted of the charges (Zbrog). While the crimes in these two cases may not be exceedingly similar, they prove the inconspicuous differences between the rich and the poor in America's criminal justice system. The second case was substantially more severe than the former, yet the effects of the former case was far more devastating. The resulting outcomes of the two cases can be attributed to one thing: wealth.
After reviewing the facts in-depth, looking at examples, and comparing merely two cases, more light must be shed on this topic. Whether or not it is a minor drug charge or a double homicide, undue advantages come along with wealth in our society.
References
“Cardi B Explains Why She 'Drugged and Robbed' Men.” BBC News. BBC, March 27,
2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47718477.
Gramlich, John. “What the Data Says (and Doesn’t Say) about Crime in the United
States.” Pew Research Center, November 20, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/20/facts-about-crime-in-the-u-s/.
Maraniss, David, and Susan Schmidt. “Hillary Clinton and the Whitewater
Controversy: A Close-Up.” The Washington Post. WP Company. Accessed February 14, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/politics/special/whitewater/stories/wwtr960602.htm.
Reslen, Eileen. “Video Shows Kanye West Screaming as Man He Allegedly Punched
Lies on the Ground.” Page Six. Page Six, February 8, 2022. https://pagesix.com/2022/01/13/kanye-west-screams-on-video-in-alleged-la- battery-incident/.
Ross, Martha. “Kanye West's Alleged Attack on Fan Follows History of Fights, Court-
Ordered Anger Management Classes.” The Mercury News. The Mercury News, January 14, 2022. https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/14/kanye-wests- alleged-attack-on-fan-follows-history-of-fights-court-ordered-anger-management- classes/.
“Why Are White-Collar Crimes Rarely Investigated & Prosecuted?” Forensics
Colleges, August 17, 2021. https://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/follow-the- money/unpunished-financial-crimes.
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