Is the judicial system getting lazy...or what?

I’ve noticed over the last few years that many defendants in court cases are convinced by their lawyer to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence & it doesn’t matter with what they’ve been charged. Did the prosecuting attorneys meet with the defense attorneys & say, we won’t put much effort into prosecuting IF you’ll get your client to plead guilty. Charge them as much as you think they can afford. Once we lay out our case, convince them to plead guilty & we will reduce the charges against them. OR did the defense attorneys go to the prosecuting attorneys & say What IF I can get my client to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. I’ll still collect my fee & you won’t need to work so hard. Any opinion???