I know a few people who tend to get on the wrong side of the law on a regular basis and despite everything they do, they get a slap on the wrist, a fine, and they are back on the street again.

It’s probably a lot to do with the fact that their crimes are considered relatively minor (public disturbances, getting into a bar fight, etc). The prisons are seriously overcrowded so judges don’t want to send someone to prison unless they have to.