Crime Rates: David Muhlhausen has this article on the Heritage Foundation site discussing how government policies affect crime rates. He contends that some federal grant programs are ineffective and can be cut without affecting crime rates. He cites research to the effect that the prison buildup of years past was a major factor in bringing down crime rates but that releases once those prisoners have completed their sentences have contributed to recent increases in crime.

Gitmo Detainees: Sen. Christopher Dodd has introduced a bill to "strike[] at the core of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 by giving detainees access to U.S. courts," according to this story by Josh White in the Washington Post. The bill is modestly titled the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007." The text of S. 576 is not yet available on Thomas.

The Ninth Circuit has ruled that a U.S. Attorney's appeal of a ruling to deny a sentencing enhancement is barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause as reported in a Metropolitan News-Enterprise story by Tina Bay. In the District Court, Judge Robert M. Takasugi cited Blakely v. Washington to reject a sentencing enhancement under the Armed Career Criminal Act for 3 time convicted felon Dominique Blanton on the ground that a nonjury juvenile adjudication could not be used for this purpose. The Ninth Circuit upheld that decision finding that the appeal exposes the defendant to Double Jeopardy.

Sex offenses committed by juveniles have increased to the point where states are considering laws which allow them to be included in sex offender registries according to a story reported by Jason Miles.

Acquitted After deliberating four hours a New York jury acquitted Benjamin Odierno 73, of the murder of his 58-year-old wife even though he admitted stabbing her approximately 40 times. Odierno claimed self defense against his wife of 27 years, stating that her constant violent outbursts for the last ten years is what led him to kill her, according to an AP story here.