> This is unsurprising, given that the US is so heavily rules-based, but the EU (certainly the UK) has a long history of principles-based regulation.

This is a good point, but many people seem to forget that most misdemeanor criminal offenses in the US are punishable by fine and/or up to 30+ days in jail. People do not often get the jail time so most don't even think about it, but it is available as an option to the judge for things like repeat offenders.