I know I have said this elsewhere, but it bears repeating: The purpose of the legal system is to (1) punish people and (2) convince the public that the right people are being locked up. It is to be believed in, not to merit that belief (which is HARD).

It is almost impossible for police officers or prosecutors to get anything beyond modest punishment for even egregious misdeeds because they aren't really misdeeds. A crime was committed, someone was locked up, and the public got to smile with satisfaction that justice was served. It is the agitators who insists on revisiting these things that are undermining the system.