Crime and Punishment TV show and other similar shows?

i always laugh at these shows because even that we are in the 21st century the way they are conducted reminds of a wild west kangaroo court with a lynching at the end of it.........i am all for suitable punishments for the crime but one guy tonight who did have a criminal record beat his wife up and got 25yrs -life for a bloody nose under the 3 strikes and your out rule............americans just have no common sense....your thoughts please