Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would define the rights of crime victims and establish procedures for the protection of these rights.

Highlights:

• Defines the following rights of crime victims (Sec. 2):
• To be reasonably protected from the accused;
• To reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of, and non-exclusion from, any public proceeding, release or escape involving the accused;
• To be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea or sentencing;
• To confer with the attorney for the government in the case;
• To full and timely restitution as provided in law;
• To proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and
• To be treated with fairness and with respect for his or her dignity and privacy.

• Requires the crime victim to be notified of, and accorded, these rights by the departments and agencies engaged in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the crime (Sec. 2).

• Recognizes the victim right's to appeal, should a federal court deny any right of a crime victim as defined under this act or under the federal rules of criminal procedure (Sec. 2).

• States that a denial of rights, as provided for above, is not grounds for a new trial (Sec. 2).

• Repeals certain provisions regarding victims' rights contained in the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Justice Department to make grants to develop, establish, and maintain programs for the enforcement of crime victims' rights, and for the development of a notification system of dates and criminal proceedings for crime victims (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text