Removing Blinders from the Judiciary: In Re Artt Brennan, Kirby as an Evolutionary Step in the United States-United Kingdom Extradition Scheme

Abstract

Within the extradition treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom, there exists an exemption for fugitives who have allegedly committed crimes that are political in nature. The political offense exemption has resulted in complications when dealing with the thorny issue of alleged terrorists from Northern Ireland who flee to the United States. This Note traces the history of the political offense exemption and scrutinizes the results of a recent Ninth Circuit decision, In re Artt, Brennan, Kirby, in which the court concluded that federal courts may inquire into systemic bias when considering whether or not a defendant's conviction in the Northern Ireland judicial system was tainted by prejudice.