Someone in my extended family got caught seriously drunk driving in Mississippi, and probably because he was a neatly-dressed, well-spoken white guy, the court

Someone in my extended family got caught seriously drunk driving in Mississippi, and probably because he was a neatly-dressed, well-spoken white guy, the court clerk subtly hinted that a $2000 donation to the county sheriff's department benefit fund would confirm to all concerned that he was indeed a nice, civic-minded young man who shouldn't have his life ruined over a silly mistake. He wrote that check, and ended up pleading guilty to reckless/careless driving (can't remember which), which carries far fewer long term consequences than a DUI.