I agree but the two high profile cases recently in California (Avila and Ratliff) illustrate how frustrated people get with the Justice system. We see way too many clearly guilty individuals either plea bargaining to wrist slap sentences or like Avila, getting off entirely. Just reading the local paper here in Oregon, too many molesters get the opportunity to bargain to short terms (even with our manditory prison laws).
I think you've hit the target there. People are frustrated and losing faith in the system to punish the guilty
The aim is not really "justice" (whatever that may be), it is job security, pure and simple.
I vote against EVERY sitting judge at every election. Of course, in a lot of States, the lawyers have fixed it so that you don't get to vote on them. Too bad.