In the United States, criminal suspects have a right to face their accusers at trial.

VOA: special.2009.10.03

Federal officials have brought Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse to New York City to face trial.

VOA: special.2009.05.27

But international relations professor Steven Ekovich, of the American University of Paris, has his doubts whether Chirac will ever face trial.

VOA: standard.2009.10.30

But in America, where some 60% of state appellate judges and more than 80% of state trial judges face contested elections, noisy political contests certainly contribute to an endemic lack of confidence in the judiciary, at least at state level. (Federal judges are not elected.) Most states allow candidates to raise funds, often running to millions of dollars.

ECONOMIST: Choosing judges

Italy argues the incident occurred in international waters, meaning the marines should face trial at home.

WSJ: India PM Distressed Over Central African Republic Killings

Italy now says the two marines won't be returning to India to face trial as agreed.

WSJ: India Court Orders Italian Envoy to Stay Put