There are several ways in which the American legal system is biased against poor people and people of color. Some examples include:
Racial profiling and discrimination in law enforcement practices: People of color are more likely to be stopped, searched, and arrested by law enforcement officials, even when they have not committed a crime. This can lead to a disproportionate number of people of color being caught up in the criminal justice system.
Cash bail and pretrial detention: People who cannot afford to pay bail are often kept in pretrial detention, which can be detrimental to their physical and mental health and can make it more difficult to prepare for their case. This can lead to people of color and poor people being unfairly punished for being unable to pay for their release.
Inadequate access to legal representation: Poor people often cannot afford to hire an attorney, and may not be provided with one if they cannot pay. This can lead to people being forced to represent themselves in court, which puts them at a disadvantage.
Mandatory minimum sentencing laws: Mandatory minimum sentencing laws require judges to impose a minimum sentence for certain crimes, which takes discretion away from judges and can lead to harsh sentences for non-violent offenders.
Disproportionate sentencing for drug offenses: People of color are more likely to be arrested and convicted for drug offenses, even though drug use rates are similar across racial groups. This can lead to people of color receiving disproportionately long sentences for drug offenses.