Common thing in many jurisdictions. I had a pleasure to witness that in a certain "red", fairly large county courtroom where prefernce in sentencing, etc. was given to predominantly white (the county is predominately white) kids from upper class families, and it didn't matter if it wasn't their first offence. Poor always got the short end of the stick no matter the race or circumstance.

I don't think it has much to do with it being "red" though, just corrupt af.