It's not so much a "trend" as a "tradition". Wherever a formal system of justice exists, it is invariably used to some degree by those in power to do their bidd

It's not so much a "trend" as a "tradition". Wherever a formal system of justice exists, it is invariably used to some degree by those in power to do their bidding. After all, it decisions and actions are still those of fallible (and bribable) humans.