Someone in the thread about his previous $5k fine made a really good point that low but increasing fines may actually be more effective in the long run as there is still the ultimate threat of imprisonment, but the fines should still prove as a deterrent (eventually).
Besides that, straight to jail has the potential to galvanize his crazy supporters into action, whereas the fines are actually punitive and his supporters who believe he's got oodles of money should be able to shrug it off as no issue.
Basically it seems like the judge could be playing the long game by the books.
Someone in the thread about his previous $5k fine made a really good point that low but increasing fines may actually be more effective in the long run as there is still the ultimate threat of imprisonment, but the fines should still prove as a deterrent (eventually).
Besides that, straight to jail has the potential to galvanize his crazy supporters into action, whereas the fines are actually punitive and his supporters who believe he's got oodles of money should be able to shrug it off as no issue.
Basically it seems like the judge could be playing the long game by the books.