Mexico Adopts Reform Modeled on US System: Long criticized for a harsh judicial system that was prone to human rights abuses, Mexico has embraced reforms based on the US judicial system, includig public trials and a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Even Human Rights Watch has called these "an historic step forward" in a letter to President Calderon. The Associated Press article in the San Francisco Chronicle has the details.

Even $2.5M Isn't Enough to Cure Some Criminals: According to this LA Times article by H.G. Reza, police officials and family members were hopeful that 23-year-old Jose Muñoz would turn away from his criminal tendencies after receiving a $2.5 million settlement for being hit by a police car. It was, after all, the proverbial "second chance", an opportunity not many could hope for. But just 4 months after the settlement, Muñoz was back in custody, belying the common argument that a majority of criminal activity stems from a lack of economic opportunity.

New Study Says DNA Results in More Arrests: Kevin Johnson reported for USA Today on the study released by the National Institute of Justice. Most people are familiar with DNA's use in rapes and murders, but the results of the study indicate that DNA analysis also results in twice the number of arrests in property crimes as similar cases using only traditional investigative methods, like fingerprinting and witness statements.

Japan Executes Child Murderer, Cannibal: Nearly 20 years after Tsutomu Miyazaki gruesomely murdered four girls, all age 7 or younger, cannibalized two of his victims, and tormented their families, justice has finally been served. Mari Yamaguchi for the Associated Press reports that Miyazaki was hanged along with two other convicted murderers.

Judicial Restraint? Not Likely... Professor John Yoo's scathing indictment of the Boumediene ruling analyzes the implications of the decision and touches on several of the issues raised by CJLF in their amicus brief to the Supreme Court.