“American Violet clearly depicts an inherently flawed system. Rather than being a justice system, the legal system which Dee Roberts is put through is a tangled web of conflicts of interest and unethical behavior concentrating power in the hands of those perpetrating abuse upon those who have little recourse. At the time of the raid, Texas law permitted indictments based on the word of a single informant. That informant was easily found — or more accurately, created — through threats and physical abuse. That informant named others — as instructed by the district attorney — who were then arrested in a military-style raid. The individuals were targeted not based on evidence of criminal activity, but rather on race and economic status. Once these individuals were indicted, they were appointed public defenders because they could not afford to hire legal representation. They were then offered a seductively ‘easy’ out — plead guilty, get probation, and get out of jail the same day — in exchange for complying with the system. Fighting back brought down the wrath of the district attorney upon a defendant.” (11/13/09)