Rule of Law and Judicial Reform II

The seven participants in the regional project "Rule of Law and Judicial Reform II" examined U.S. commitment to the promotion of transparency, ethics, and judicial independence in a democracy. The meetings organized and sites visited highlighted the judiciary’s role in preserving democratic practices such as due process, trial by jury, right to representation and a fair trial, the role of the public defender, the appeal process, judicial appointments/elections, and governmental accountability. The project also illustrated the importance and role of an independent judiciary in facilitating fair business practices that enhance and sustain economic growth. The itinerary opened in Washington, DC, with visitors travelling onto Reno, NV; Santa Fe, NM; and Manchester, NH. The program concluded in Boston, MA.