Wouldn't being "brought up on charges" then not being prosecuted potentially "scare" the perpetrator, or alert them (if they didn't already know) that what they

Wouldn't being "brought up on charges" then not being prosecuted potentially "scare" the perpetrator, or alert them (if they didn't already know) that what they did was against the law, and maybe a lot of people - knowning they "skirted" jail time would be thankful for the second chance and do everything to stay out of jail they possibly could?