I know it's different for every jurisdiction but in my area, the court system is very lenient and often suspends sentences for non-violent crimes. It's so lenient that it makes it difficult for cops to do their jobs effectively. A cop can arrest someone, spend hours on paperwork and spend his/her day off in court just to see a dismissed charge or suspended sentence, it's a waste of time and money actually. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!