Is this fair?

No, it's not fair. Another example of the rich being able to buy their way out of anything. Of course, if the poor man was offered a sentence to pay the $10,000 fine and was unable to do so, he may have been re-sentenced to a year in prison. But I believe that the original sentence should be the same, regardless of the social status of the criminal.

of course it's not fair! People with money get off so easy! Look at all the celebrities who get away with everything...EVEN murder! OJ Simpson for one, Paris Hilton and drunk driving for another. Can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but they are out there. It's ridiculous!

It might not be fair but it is the way the system is set up the rich guy has the power to get himself out of jail where the poor guy does not have the money to pay the fine. It really sucks but that is what it is.

Nothing is fair in this world you know it. Is it fair that you throw out the food that you do not want to eat, while other do not have anything to eat? Forget what is fair and what is not, just try to survive. That'S HOW WORLD GOES ON.

Same where ever you go........ Doesn't matter what the crime or where you are in the world its all just a money making scheme. If you can aford to bail yourself out, you can go home, if you cant afford it you end up in a prison cell, what should money matter when your caught of a crime?

No it's not fair. I wasn't even going to respond because the whole idea of it sickens me. I know first hand just how unfair it is. I had two friends get in trouble being idiots they broke into an office building and stole some whiskey adn other stupid stuff...good idea. Well anyway one was from a wealthy family and paid a fine. The other had to spend 20 days in jail and do 60 hours of community service, not to mention the embarassment of not being able to pay his way out. I think if you can do the crime you should do the time...no matter how much money you have.

It isn't fair, but that is how this world works. Money is power. That is why we have so many wars. Greed and power. A lot of things are not fair, especially to the middle class people. They suffer the most. Pay all the taxes and have nothing when they are in need. The world evolves around the rich.

Off course that is not fair but if you have money anything could work out for you.

I think it is very unfair, but it is unfortunate it happens in our society... Rich men can pay for rich lawyers and get off with a lot less than someone who cannot afford it... it is completely not fair

no it's not fair at all. it just goes to show you who can get away with what with a little bit of cash.

It's been like this forever hasn't it? I for one cannot figure out our justice system. At times it seems just as archaic as when you got sent to a penal colony for stealing a loaf of bread for your starving family.