From my experience making mistakes seems to be part and parcel of being human.
The 2011 riots in England involved quite a few people making mistakes, getting involved in crime and being punished for their errors. Usually it doesn’t take a brush with the criminal justice system to make person assess where they are in life, versus where they want to be. However, with a bit of thought, even serious mistakes can become learning opportunities.
This link to a BBC news story shows that principle in action.
Experience Your Life 