Leniency decresing in musician criminal cases

It is certainly no secret that musicians have received quite a bit of leniancy over the years when it comes to criminal cases. Musicians from Johnny Cash to James Brown have all been documented committing crimes, most being multiple offenders according to MuchMusic.com, a website that documents all things music. Still, these musicians are remembered for their music and not their mishaps. This preferential treatment can be attributed, atleast somewhat, to the unmatched abilities of most famous musicians. Sure these people may be breaking the law but, they're the best at what they do. If you lock them up then you have second-tier performers and that's not going to make the masses happy. Therefore, historically, musicians have been cut some slack so they can continue to do what they do best, make music. However, this leniancy has taken a big hit as of late as more and more musicians are starting to pay the consequences of their actions.
  According to Austin360.com, rapper T.I., otherwise known as Clifford Harris Jr., was convicted of felony gun charges in 2007 and subsequently sentenced to prison. Harris served 10 months of his sentence before being released on probation, according to Austin360.com. This probation is reminiscent of musician leniancy in years past, however, the events to follow are surely not. The conditions of Harris's probation were the standard no drugs and no traveling along with 1,000 hours of community service. According to Austin360.com, Harris ran into some problems with the no drugs part as he was arrested in California last month on suspicion of drug possesion. His punishment for this is 11 more months in the big house, not merely a slap on the wrist. All leniency has gone out the window and Harris, like many other rappers and musicians now days, is facing a hefty prison sentence. "T.I's attorneys argued that after reviewing nearly 250 cases with similar charges, none of those people were put back behind bars for violating probation," states Austin360.com. This is clear evidence that judges are cracking down on musicians and not letting them run rampant as they have in years past. It's almost like they are making examples out of these musicians as they are in the spotlight and people, especially kids, are looking up to them. T.I. isn't the only one in the doghouse though as many other rappers are facing time as well. Lil' Wayne, another highly successful rapper, is currently serving a prison sentence for felony gun charges also. These prison sentences being served by musicians who are otherwise very popular is a testament to the decrease in preferential treatment around the nation.There was a time when these crimes were overlooked but that time has come and gone. In this day and age if you commit a crime your going to have to pay the price for it, musician or not.