This is quite a common theme in all comic books, one that is dealt with in Superman vs the Elites as a central plot device.
When it comes to superheroes, the majority of them aren't actually police officers, but representatives of an ideal. In effect, they are costumed civilians doing what they believe is needed. Because they follow their own perception of Justice, it results in a mixed reaction from the world. Legally, they're criminals, since they are taking up vigilantism, but if what they do is effective, spectacular or down-right nice, people will tend to side with them. In many cases, the ideal of justice that these heroes follow will usually be one that falls in line with the actual law. Typically, a hero will defeat the villain and then hand them over to law enforcement to be dealt with, so, really, it's not a fault with heroes as it is with the justice system entirely. With the death penalty all but abolished and, in the case of folks like The Joker, being declared 'criminally insane' rather than just criminal grants different treatment. Some like Dr. Doom have diplomatic immunity, so they don't get jailed, rather, they get sent home.
Right and Wrong is a relative concept. "One man's hero is another's terrorist," so to speak. There can never really be one true solution to supervillains, at least, that's the way I see it.
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