This story is the final chapter in a single expose of the criminal justice system in America. It began in 2013 in Texas. The son of a very wealthy family drove his truck over four pedestrians, killing them. He was driving while drunk. Ethan Couch was a teenager at the time.

When he was tried in a court of law, prosecutors sought a sentence of 20 years. The judge ordered probation without one day of jail time.

Couch’s attorneys created a unique defense strategy. They claimed that Couch was a victim of ‘affluenza.’ He was raised in an atmosphere of luxury and privilege and was not instructed in the precepts of right and wrong.

The truth was that once again the justice system treated the wealthy differently than low-income Americans and minorities. If Couch had been a 16-year-old black man, he would have received life imprisonment.

The story doesn’t end there.

A video of Couch at a party; obviously intoxicated; surfaced and was a violation of his parole. This was in 2015. His mother, Tonya, fled with her son to Mexico to avoid time in jail for the spoiled rich punk.

What did the judge do about this major violation after he was extradited back to the U.S.? He ordered a two-year sentence. Couch was released on Monday.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving described the two years Couch has spent in jail as “a grave injustice to the victims and their families.”

“The 720 days Ethan Couch served for his crimes shows that drunk driving homicides still aren’t treated as the violent crimes that they are,” the organization said in a statement.

The fact is that our nation’s justice system is corrupt. Time after time wealthy and powerful Americans escape justice, while low-income Americans are punished severely. If you are Hispanic, black, or Muslim, you may never see freedom again.

There are two Americas. One is Trump’s nation where rich, white people are allowed to do anything they choose without repercussions. The second is inhabited by a diverse and large group of Americans who can be classified as low-income or impoverished.

Equality does not exist in America’s judicial system. Under President Obama, new rules were created to reduce inequality in out nation’s courts and prisons. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, with full approval from Donald Trump, has repealed the regulations with the obvious intent of imprisoning more minorities for lengthier periods of time.

I urge all Americans to vote on November 6^th, but I am making a special plea to blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, Jews, and all women; if we remove Republicans from office the laws can be changed. By removing the party of old, white, faux-Christian men from power, the principles of our founding fathers can be returned to our once respected nation.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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