NCJ Number
19209
Date Published
1975
Length
351 pages
Annotation
THE THESIS OF THIS BOOK IS THAT THE RIGHTS OF THE VICTIMS OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN 'SHAMELESSLY DISREGARDED AND SUBORDINATED TO THE RIGHTS OF THE LAWLESS AND VIOLENT.'
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CITES NUMEROUS ACTUAL CASES OF VICTIMIZATION TO ILLUSTRATE THAT WHILE EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED, NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF CRIME. HE CONTENDS THAT THE REAL CAUSES OF CRIME ARE PERMISSIVENESS, THE DECISIONS OF THE WARREN COURT (SUCH AS THE MIRANDA RULEING), AND THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY. SEVERAL REFORM MEASURES ARE PROPOSED INCLUDING FORCING CRIMINALS TO MAKE RESTITUTION TO THEIR VICTIMS, MAKING JUDGES AND PAROLE BOARDS 'PAY FOR THEIR SOFTNESS', AND ESTABLISHING A VICTIM'S RIGHTS COMMISSION TO REPRESENT THE VICTIM AND PROTECT HIS RIGHTS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS. TEN WAYS TO DEAL WITH COURT DELAYS ARE ALSO SUGGESTED, SUCH AS IMPLEMENTING NON-UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICTS IN CRIMINAL CASES, IMPOSING A ONE-APPEAL LIMIT, AND ABOLISHING THE REQUIREMENT THAT FELONY CASES BE PRESENTED TO A GRAND JURY. SUGGESTIONS FOR A VICTIM-ORIENTED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE BASED ON TECHNIQUES USED IN ENGLAND AND INCLUDE ELIMINATION OF THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE AND MODIFICATION OF THE MIRANDA RULING. AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX IS INCLUDED.