Dreier Comments on Mexican Supreme Court Decision

September 7, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, said he was encouraged by a critical Mexican Supreme Court decision issued yesterday that could pave the way for future extraditions to the United States. The decision upheld a state law that allows consecutive prison terms for certain murders. This could have the effect of recognizing that the sentence of life imprisonment does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment, a position previously held by the Mexican Supreme Court. Dreier personally presented a similar argument to the Court over a year ago.

“This decision, while just a first step, could prove to be a critical turning point in the effort to secure more extraditions from Mexico to the United States,” Dreier said. “Since the tragic murder of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff David March more than 3 years ago, there has been an active effort to work with the Mexican government to bring his alleged killer to justice. My visit to the Mexican Supreme Court during the summer of 2004 was just one part of that effort. I know that this isn’t a done deal yet, but I’m very encouraged by this step. I view it as progress in the right direction. I will continue to maintain a dialogue with Mexican officials, the State Department, as well as with the law enforcement community, as we take this opportunity to further improve extradition efforts.”

The decision handed down yesterday applies directly to a Chihuahua state law that allows consecutive prison terms for murders involving children, women, or kidnap victims, even if the total surpasses 100 years. The Court voted to uphold that law. It could be considered as precedent in future arguments involving extraditions to the United States. Upon learning of the decision, Dreier immediately called Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca to discuss the development. They pledged to continue working together on the issue of extradition and on the Peace Officer Justice Act, H.R. 2363, legislation Dreier introduced to make it a federal crime to kill a peace officer and flee the country.