Judicial Profiteering

A year ago Kathi got a ticket for running a red-light in a confusing intersection that cost us over $400 in fines.  Our conversation went something like, "What a fucking rip-off!"
  

What might the conversation have been between the woman who served me my burger at McDonald's today and her husband?  Possibly something like, "We are fucked! Ruined!"

For that same offense: $400 is a nuisance for us, but over a week's pay for them. We obviously paid our ticket, but they would probably pay their rent instead.

Kathi and I  have a "WTF" kind of story. They have the fear of arrest hanging over them, because their ticket went to warrant with a doubling of the fine: now two weeks pay. If stopped again, she could be incarcerated for the outstanding warrants, easily losing her current job as a no-show: jeopardizing future employability. Plus there could be continuing additional fees charged: court cost, probationary administration fees, and even room and board charges while in jail.

On the surface, I might applaud the courts making offenders pay court and jail  expenses.  But when these payments are sometimes four times the original penalty, then these fees are simply profiteering by the courts through extortion of those least able to pay. 

This is the situation where I live.  Is it the same in your home town? Is judicial profiteering justice?

And who might the other husband in this scenario be: a poor black man, an illegal alien, a newlywed, a recently discharged veteran, or... there but for the grace of God go I?  

Answer: any of the above.