THE NEW JUDICIAL FEDERALISM - THE STATES LEAD IN RIGHTS PROTECTION

A lot of attention is given to the rights afforded American citizens b y the Bill of Rights amendments to the US. Constitution. But state con stitutions are equally important, often expanding upon federal protect ion. Many times, state courts have interpreted state constitutional gu arantees liberally This trend, sometimes referred to as the new judici al federalism, can serve as an example to developing democracies as a means of protecting and supporting their ethnic diversity