LAW 7420 - The Rights of Crime Victims

The criminal justice process handles cases of the "state" vs. a "defendant," apparently leaving little room for third parties such as victims to be involved. Yet in recent years, a strong movement has developed urging that crime victims should play a role in the criminal justice process. This class will explore what role and rights (if any) crime victims should have in the criminal process. Topics to discussed include the victim's ambiguous role in the criminal process; defining the "victim"; victim protection; victim involvement in the investigation of the crime, the charging decision, plea bargaining, and trial; victim impact statements at sentencing; representation of victims and remedies for deprivations of victims rights; civil remedies as an adjunct to the criminal process; and the proposed federal constitutional amendment protecting victims rights. Satisfies the perspective requirement.