Russian law students in San Diego...

Returning from teaching Russian law students from MSU at the San Diego State University... The Advocacy program focused on familiarizing the students to federal criminal trial process in the U.S. and comparing it to the Russian criminal law and procedure. These type of programs are invaluable because they show how the legal systems of various countries are similar in many respects and dissimilar in others. Comparative analysis is the beginning point for development of international law, because how else can future attorneys know and understand international law without knowing other countries' laws. These students were marvelous because they embraced the American Constitutional Criminal Procedure with such excitement that it was infectious. They spoke like U.S. Supreme Court Justices when explaining the Miranda rule and the right to counsel. I was simply enchanted! The law students here are not as amazed with these fundamental rules because they take them for granted... I wish, more American attorneys participated in these type of programs. They would really learn to appreciate the U.S. Constitution... Also, they would learn to see the weaknesses of our criminal justice system. The fact that America still has the death penalty is abhorring. It is also striking to compare the number of incarcerated here with the number in Russia...I guess, we in America like to see people go to prison...