Should I ask for reduced charges?

I am heading to a preliminary hearing soon in a case where I'm the victim. The prosecutor told me I should advise him on offering a plea (or not). Should I ask for the charges to be reduced? Here's what happened: I'm a farmer and I was working in my field near the house. My child was home sick in bed. A car pulled up and unloaded a handgun in the direction of my home (and myself) and then drove off. The police immediately arrested the shooter who was apparently just riding around drinking and shooting randomly to have a good time. My child and I were not injured but it was terrifying. The shooter is now facing 6 felony charges and 8 years in prison. I don't want to ruin this 20-something kids life but I also hope he'll get his life on track. He has one previous conviction for providing marijuana to a minor and one of his charges this time is for giving alcohol to a minor (the driver). Clearly he didn't learn his lesson after the first conviction so I wonder what might get through to him. Did anyone receive a punishment that actually made a difference in their life? Did a victim impact statement make any difference to you? I feel like asking for a prison sentence and/or a felony charge doesn't help anyone. It that really what it takes?