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"We believe firmly that children should be kept in school and out of courts," says Justice Department official Robert Listenbee. In his new role leading the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, he's trying to help stop what experts describe as a "school-to-prison pipeline."

An unprecedented recent court filing from the Justice Department could have dramatic implications for the representation of indigent defendants. The department argues that the fix for broken public defender systems could include a court-appointed monitor.

Eric Holder, the nation's top law enforcement officer, is calling for a sea change in the criminal justice system. The attorney general is joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who want to overhaul prison sentencing policies.

The shakeup comes as Republicans step up pressure over the agency's failed gun trafficking operation. Kenneth E. Melson has stepped down. B. Todd Jones, U.S. attorney for Minnesota, will be the agency's new acting director.

Ten years ago, an Albanian immigrant agreed to help the Justice Department build a case against an accused mobster. In exchange, he says, federal prosecutors promised him a green card and protection for his family. Now the informant says the U.S. reneged on its commitment — with violent results.

A staff member at the Securities and Exchange Commission has complained to Congress that thousands of investigative documents have been destroyed by the agency, including some relating to huge investment banks. But an SEC spokesman says there's nothing wrong with how it handled internal records.

The Justice Department is reviewing its lethal injection protocols because of a shortage of a key drug. Authorities are also less likely to seek the death penalty for murderers of drug dealers. In a trend that's moved from the states to the federal level, things are getting quiet on death row.

From the day a grand jury indicted former Sen. John Edwards on six felony charges nearly one year ago, the case drew jeers from election lawyers and government watchdogs. After a mistrial on most counts, the jury foreman says Congress should clarify campaign laws that were at the heart of the case.

Stepping on big toes is pretty much the job description of the Justice Department's Michael Horowitz. He's boss of about 450 employees who sift through allegations of misconduct at Justice, the FBI and ATF. One looming item: a report on the gunrunning operation called Fast and Furious.

Special prosecutor Henry Schuelke, who earlier this month issued a blistering 500-page report about the Justice Department's actions, is due to testify.