I agree with you that we need to de-criminalize a lot of things. If I had my druthers I’d legalize (or at least de-criminalize) things like drugs, prostitution, and gambling. I’d re-criminalize loitering, living with no visible means of support, etc. Basically, give back to people the freedom to do with themselves as they wish but then impose upon them full responsibility for their actions.
With drugs, gambling, and prostitution, all I really care about is keeping it off the streets and away from my home and kids, and insulating my wallet from the consequences of other people’s bad life decisions. Totally with you on re-criminalizing loitering and vagrancy, and I’d add re-institutionalizing the seriously mentally ill. Working in downtown Houston, which has multiple tent cities under the surrounding overpasses, I’m highly attuned to the “homelessness” problem.
As for plea bargains, I’ve never practiced enough criminal law to have a very informed opinion on it, although the arguments in the article resonate with me. However, whatever reasons there are for plea bargains, a lack of judicial resources should not be one of them. If you’re going to have society governed by the rule of law, then how can there be any higher priority for resources than a functioning judiciary?