California's State Senate became a bit less criminal-friendly with the swearing in of two senators, both former assembly members elected to vacant seats in Tuesday's special election. 

Sharon Runner was elected to seat formerly held by her husband George.  The Runners have been among the foremost leaders for crime victims' rights in California.

Ted Lieu is a rare specimen of what is now an endangered species in California, an elected Democrat who actually cares about justice.

They were sworn in by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, whose positions on crime issues are, unfortunately, much more typical of the California Democrats in office today.