Kobe can't afford to go to jail. He's got sponsership deals with big companies, but I don't know if they'll even consider him now.

Impossible, he is too famous to be in prison for life... his good lawyers will probably fight the case off, if he cant maybe he can plead for lessen of the crime and do weekend prison time. So the saying all are equal are false, if say..... Bill Gates accidently commites a crime, its not possible to put him in jail since he is so important, famous and popular. Have you ever seen someone famous,important and powerful in Jail? if you do tell us so we all can thank God for good laws and politicians....

No, There is a possibility he can go to jail for life because there are rappers who are rich and can afford the top lawyers and they are still in jail or in prison for life. So, it's not really impossible. So to answer your question, yes, I have seen famous and powerful people who were or are still in Jail like Suge Knight (He is highly feared!), kane and Able (who are in facing serious jail time), 50 cent (He use to be in jail), Mystikal (sexual harassed someone), I can go on....

P.S., as for the life thing, that's what I heard the judge say about the case. I really doubt it he will get life because what he did is not as bad compared to the people who've done worse. He can still face some jail time though.