Ah, but you see, I have been a trial lawyer for nearly 35 years. And my wife has been one for over 30. So, as I am sure you can imagine, I am highly unlikely to agree with you on this particular point.
What you interpret as a leftist response is, instead, a realistic one which allows, and compensates, for the vagaries of the contemporary legal system. Which, I will happily concede, frequently yields results which are idiotic.
By the way, and completely off topic, my wife recently acquire a cat (a Maine Coon), which has been named for the man whom your handle honors.
This is also the reason for "zero tolerance" policies and absurd enforcements thereof. It relieves the employee of potential civil liability which the use of discretion might engender.
If lawyers and judges had spine and principle rather than a lust for money, this wouldn't be an issue. A return to taking responsibility for one's self should be taught and then later enforced.
I understand that we got into this predicament by piecemeal application of distorted mercy. I'm looking forward to "The Comet". Sometimes a clean slate is the best approach.
I hope you strive for balance and decency in your cases.
Keep one eye on the cat while you sleep. It may take a fancy to conquest.