When cynicism infects a society it affects law too.
Law is much more a reflection of the mores of a society than the basis of perfect policing. Nobody even wants perfect policing. Even the Old Testament law stipulated that nobody be put to death except on the testimony of two or more witnesses, who then had to personally participate in the ensuing execution. There was a limited room to skate, where the voice of import was the preacher and not the state.
US _law_ system is a politized system, controlling lawyers via schooling and BAR requirements and NSA spy info bribery. It regularly undermines and misdirects justice.