You summed it up perfectly, well said.
Also consider this:
"The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws"
~~Ayn Rand
Figure it's two more in the "system"
And don't forget, "they" -- the government figures don't give a hoot about justice or upholding some law, they simply "want the goods" on decent people. That way, they're open to deals and plea bargains. It's the way things get done.