Anyone who is an associate gets made a target immediately and will get prison time for things others wouldn't even get arrested for. I think it has always been that way, but has gotten worse. From things that are not even criminal (A restaurant owner being a partner with a made member in the restaurant) to the big crimes like drugs. Look at Mark Rieiter, they do everything they can to keep him locked up for a 30 year old drug conviction. Then you have the non-associates dealing drugs, running illegal cubs, taking numbers, and anything else. They are hardly bothered, if arrested and sentenced they get 5-6 years for things like guns and drugs. They get life for a murder, then get pardons after 20 years or so. An associate has trouble operating, and gets tougher time.