How would you ever persuade people to respect principles underlying the law when you fail to punish people who are the law?

Modern justice is all like this:

We know this guy perpetrated, but it was some time ago and he's well connected and it's awkward for us so we're going to "hate his sin" but without any effect on his well-being. But you, dear listeners, please behave.

Ah, on unrelated note, we jailed a poor person for 10 years for a fraction of damage because it was politically convenient.