As many may already know, April 24th marked a huge day for justice in the judicial system. Philly rapper, Meek Mill was released from prison early and put on bail after an overruling of his sentence by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Here’s why the case is so controversial… In 2007, 18-year old Robert Rihmeek Williams was arrested on the charges of drug possession, firearms violation, and simple assault. Common Pleas Court Judge Genece E. Brinkley later sentenced Williams to 8 months in prison and 5 years on probation in 2008.

In 2012, Meek Mill was arrested while on his way to a performance for refusing to allow police officers to search his vehicle after being pulled over by officers suspecting a scent of marijuana from his car. Mill was released the next day after the arrest, but the event ultimately affected his endorsement deal with Puma as well as prevented him from earning $40,000 from the performance.

This list goes on with petty infractions and penalties due to having to tiptoe around law enforcement as well as maintain his Hollywood lifestyle. He would endure several more reprimands including parole violations and house arrest for a St. Louis airport altercation that he didn’t even instigate.

The event that led up to his 2-4 year sentence is what drew the line on harsh punishments for minor infractions. Mill reportedly was arrested for reckless endangerment after “popping a wheelie” on his dirt bike in New York while filming a music video.

Judge Brinkley was noted to have personal connections to Mill after sentencing him several times prior to the event. Mill received a 2-4 year sentence for an infraction that is typically a fine.

The Meek Mill case shines a light on a huge issue in the judicial system that needs reforming. While Meek Mill disobeyed the law on several occasions after his first term in prison, he was unable to escape the chokehold the judicial system had on him through the phenomenon called probation.

At such a young age, as was the case for Meek Mill during the time of his first conviction, one should not be held accountable for ten years for something done in their teen years. In my opinion, Meek Mill’s first probation sentence was excessive. No 18 year old should have to spend 8 months in prison while serving 5 years of probation. The 8-month sentence is already traumatizing enough to whip one into shape while 5 years probation creates a hangover into one’s early adult life where one is most susceptible to end up back in prison.

Meek Mill’s case marks progress in the judiciary, but there are still millions of black and brown men who deserve a right to due process in the courts where the odds are most of the time against their favor.