There's a two-tier justice system in America. Need proof? Bankers for HSBC were found guilty of laundering billions of dollars for drug cartels and groups linked to al-Qaeda. Their punishment? Pay a small portion of their billions of profit, and defer bonuses. Stephanie George received a life sentence without parole in 1997 because her boyfriend stashed half a kilogram of cocaine in her home and she had a couple of previous small-time drug deal on her record.

Read more from Michael Allen/ Opposing Views:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/foreign-policy/war-terror/hsbc-and-standard-chartered-bank-accused-money-laundering-drug

Read more from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/science/mandatory-prison-sentences-face-growing-skepticism.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0