Should We Pass A Victims Rights Amendment To The U.S. Constitution?
A study by the National Institute of Justice found that “large numbers of victims are being denied their legal rights.” Even though 32 states have enshrined certain rights for victims of crime in their constitutions, such rights have often failed in the face of bureaucracy or defendants’ rights, legal experts report. Given this situation, momentum is reportedly building for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would clarify and guarantee the legal position of crime victims. • It would give victims of violent crime the right to be notified of court hearings, to attend those hearings and to speak on such issues as bail, plea bargaining and sentencing. • The amendment would require judges to consider the victim’s safety before granting bail. • Victims would also be entitled to a speedy trial, notification of an offender’s release or escape, and restitution from a convicted offender. Experts say that when the Constitution was drafted, victims could actively pursue criminal cases and
