The surface of the issue is barely scratched here. What of the cases where multiple charges are brought to deplete the resources of the accused  when only one charge has validity? Or the forced acceptance, in return for a plea deal, of wildly inflated, if not totally untrue, monetary loss (sometimes resulting in the serfdom of restitution)? This begs the question- How many  people are being punished for other than their crime?

The above statement was a comment someone posted in response to the article.  My reaction was, “You too?”  This appears to be common practice among the players in the justice system.