Posted on: Tuesday, October 14, 2003

EDITORIAL
Federal DNA law is an idea long overdue

The advent of DNA testing has revolutionized the criminal justice system in America.

DNA has helped convict people who otherwise would go free. And it has helped free people who were convicted before (or without) conclusive DNA evidence.

Now Congress is moving to institutionalize DNA testing, first at the federal level, but over time, within the states. It is an effort long overdue.

The measure is called the Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act.

The law would preserve physical evidence in federal criminal cases for post-conviction DNA testing. And, through incentives, it would encourage states to adopt cutting-edge rules on DNA testing. It would also pressure states to offer higher-quality representation in capital cases.

The result would be justice more certain and more sure. It recognizes that the death penalty (which Hawai'i does not, and should never, have) poses terrible risks to innocent people.

That's a boon both for defendants and for the justice system itself, which relies ultimately on public confidence.

This bipartisan law deserves swift passage.