These days of zero-tolerance (that is, most days on the planet except mid-twentieth century) it is too easy to just go with the flow and convict of whatever is brought to the eyes of justice. You need luck, good lawyer or both to get fair treatment, especially if the public thinks you're guilty of "something".
Well, the answer to zero tolerance is not "ALL tolerance". If those are my only choices and I am absolutely forced to pick one of those two sides, then I'm going to go with the side that doesn't foster an environment of "do as you please... we'll tolerate anything". That is a pretty slippery slope to get on. We have to have some amount of rules and punishment.
