For example, a defendant who displays remorse and contrition for their actions may receive a more lenient sentence than a defendant who appears defiant or unrepentant, even though the latter may have committed a less serious crime. Similarly, a defendant who is perceived as being from a disadvantaged or marginalized background may be treated more harshly than a defendant who is perceived as being from a more privileged background, even though the crimes they committed may be identical.
These types of inconsistencies can arise because the legal system is not always able to completely eliminate the influence of human biases and emotions. As a result, the reaction to behavior in court can sometimes be ironic, as it may not always reflect the objective facts of the case.