I've thought about this and I don't understand why we can have plea deals which are so radically different from the potential punishment if found guilty. Like, if the state thinks you did it and offers you a $1000 fine, how is it reasonable to potentially go to jail for 6 years if found guilty?

The state already showed that it believed that the crime was only worth a $1000 fine.

Maybe there should be a rule that whatever plea deal offered should be the maximum punishment possible if you're found guilty.

Because is bullshit so you take the plea. The huge fine is just up crap to force you to plea