"If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then the law…

“If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The image is from the game Final Fantasy Tactics (1997), and the card features a man’s face (the character Wiegraf). This saying (not in the original game) was made into a Facebook meme by Leftist Gamer Memes on October 17, 2020.

The meaning is that the upper class (rich) can afford to pay the fine, and will often continue to do the illegal behavior. The lower class (poor) are the real subjects of the law.

The saying went viral in 2020, with “lower class” originally as “poor.” “I read somewhere that if the penalty for a crime is a fine then it’s only illegal for the poor” was posted on Twitter by Bheith faoi scamall bróin on March 23, 2020. “IF THE PENALTY FOR A CRIME IS A FINE THEN ITS LEGAL FOR THE RICH” was posted on Twitter by fus roh dah fuckboy on March 24, 2020. “If a penalty for a crime is a fine then the law only exists if your poor” was posted on Facebook by Alondra Arreola on October 16, 2020. “If the penalty for a crime is a fine, Then the law only exists if you are poor” was posted on Facebook by Blessed Little Homestead on October 19, 2020.

“If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class” (a meme with a card from the game Final Fantasy Tactics) was first posted on Facebook by Leftist Gamer Memes on October 17, 2020. “if the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class” was posted on Twitter by CJ on November 16, 2020. “Wiegraf from Final Fantasy Tactics saying ‘If the penalty for a crime is a fine, that law only exists for the lower classes’” was posted on Twitter by erica on November 22, 2020.

Wikipedia: Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Squaresoft (later changed to Square and now Square Enix) for the Sony PlayStation video game console. Released in Japan in June 1997 and in the United States in January 1998, it is the first game of the Final Fantasy Tactics series. The game combines thematic elements of the Final Fantasy video game series with a game engine and battle system unlike those previously seen in the franchise. In contrast to other 32-bit era Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy Tactics uses a 3D, isometric, rotatable playing field, with bitmap sprite characters.
(...)
Several historical and mythological references were altered by translators: for instance, the Norse World Tree, Yggdrasil, makes an appearance as Yugodorasil; the word “breath” is consistently rendered as “bracelet” in attack names; and Wiegraf’s name is nearly homonymous with Wiglaf, a character from Beowulf, but rendered differently.

Twitter
Bheith faoi scamall bróin
@love_an_artist
I read somewhere that if the penalty for a crime is a fine then it’s only illegal for the poor.
Quote Tweet
Dr. Steven W. Thrasher
@thrasherxy
· Mar 23
“People ordered into self-quarantine must download another app, which alerts officials if a patient ventures out of isolation. Fines for violations can reach $2,500.” https://nytimes.com/2020/03/23/world/asia/coronavirus-south-korea-flatten-curve.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR3A9CWhFIUWopHjoNh8-dY5HsYnwWnbP3Pbce4UJlS7AnIyLem2seVtm0c
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8:57 PM · Mar 23, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
fus roh dah fuckboy
@emhen97
IF THE PENALTY FOR A CRIME IS A FINE THEN ITS LEGAL FOR THE RICH
Quote Tweet
Los Angeles Times
@latimes
· Mar 23
PG&E will pay will be sentenced to pay the maximum total fine of approximately $3.5 million.
It’s guilty plea provides that no other or additional sentence will be imposed in the criminal action in connection with the 2018 Camp fire. https://latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-23/pge-pleads-guilty-to-84-counts-of-manslaughter-over-paradise-fire
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4:53 AM · Mar 24, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Facebook
Alondra Arreola
October 16, 2020 at 5:13 PM ·
If a penalty for a crime is a fine then the law only exists if your poor.

Facebook
Leftist Gamer Memes
October 17, 2020 at 1:30 PM ·
(The following is shown on a Final Fantasy Tactics meme.—ed.)
If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class.

Facebook
Blessed Little Homestead
October 19, 2020 at 9:16 AM ·
If the penalty for a crime is a fine,
Then the law only exists if you are poor

Twitter
No Justice. No Peace.
@queenofnorthe
Unpopular opinion:
“If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then the law only exists if you are poor.”
#decriminalizepoverty
10:06 AM · Oct 21, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
KtuluBabaBear
@KtuluRob
If the Penalty for a Crime is a Fine; It’s only a Crime if you’re POOR.
#EatTheRich
12:32 PM · Oct 21, 2020·Twitter for Android

Twitter
hoelatariat in training
@hottestghoul
“If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then the law only exists if you are poor”
10:18 PM · Oct 21, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
CJ
@SeeJay_808
“if the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class”
1:59 PM · Nov 16, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Cupid’s Escorts
@CupidsEscorts
If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class.
8:45 PM · Nov 16, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Hikikomori Povich
@thatsalawsuitAF
Replying to @ladypoetess @junk_dino and 2 others
RPG Dialog box with man’s face: If the penalty for a crime is a fine, that law only exists for the lower classes.
1:11 AM · Nov 22, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
erica
@erilily
Replying to @ladypoetess @junk_dino and 2 others
Wiegraf from Final Fantasy Tactics saying “If the penalty for a crime is a fine, that law only exists for the lower classes.”
2:44 AM · Nov 22, 2020·Twitter Web App

Twitter
Zero (they/their)
@ZeroWrites
Appears to be a screengrab from the video game Final Fantasy Tactics (1997). Character speech bubble reads, “If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class.”
Quote Tweet
Dino
@junk_dino
· Nov 22
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3:47 PM · Nov 22, 2020·Twitter for Android