Main problem is that the Law is an absolute ass!
Too often, so-called "mitigating circumstances" i.e. reasons for NOT giving the offender exactly what they deserve, are used to sway the magistrates/judge/jury etc etc, and this ploy usually works.
If you've never gone to watch a Court case I'd strongly advise you to go to one - as long as you have a sense of humour!
The performance of some defence solicitors is Oscar winning to say the least! I always thought that they were supposed to actually believe in their clients' innocence before agreeing to defend them - how naive I used to be! If most of them DO think that, then they are either totally gullible or extremely skilful actors, or both!
I once saw a Judge direct a jury to take no more notice of the Police evidence than that of other prosecution witnesses! It just so happened that THOSE witnesses had all been intoxicated at the scene of the offence whereas the Police attending it, who saw as much as those witnesses, obviously were sober! As a result, the jury acquitted a defendant of a serious assault who was clearly
banged to rights!
Plus, there is such inconsistency in sentencing which I believe is the one of the reasons why Joe Public loses faith in "The System".