It would solve a lot of it, you can't cause ten crime sprees while behind bars.
Also did you know that once someone has a record, they really don't care about paying $25 dollar fines for selling drugs and having to promise to stay away from drugs/weapons and to not stay out late.
The punishment for red light cameras , driving in the bus lane and rolling a stop sign are way more severe then most punishments given out to people with real crimes.
If only you knew what the average "punishment" is it would make you sick to your stomach.