Elected prosecutors want to posture for the next election. Their incentives are around garnering popularity. When most voters mentally translate "misdemeanor" i

Elected prosecutors want to posture for the next election. Their incentives are around garnering popularity. When most voters mentally translate "misdemeanor" into "minor thing not worth worrying about", it isn't always a good look to go after those who may have committed them. Police notice what isn't prosecuted. They don't enjoy the experience of wasting their time arresting people repeatedly for deeds that the prosecutor doesn't care about. Then there's stuff like this: > “In an era where our streets are filled with homeless people looking for shelter from the elements this expansion of the prosecution and incarceration time for individuals who have not damaged a locking mechanism of the vehicle to gain entry could negatively impact those with the least of means,” the public defenders said in a letter to lawmakers. Prosecuting those with the least of means for anything less than heinous, violent crimes also isn't a good look.