VICTIMS OF CRIME OR VICTIMS OF JUSTICE?

• NCJ Number: 44805
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ANNUAL MEETING IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ON AUGUST 10, 1977, SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, SECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WASHINGTON, DC

Annotation

THE REALITIES EXPERIENCED BY THE CRIME VICTIM, VICTIMS' RIGHTS LITIGATION, AND THE FUTURE OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED BY A PANEL OF EXPERTS.

Abstract

MEMBERS OF THE 1977 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM REPRESENTED THE JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE PROSECUTION, AND THE DEFENSE BAR. PROBLEMS FACING THE VICTIM DURING THE PRETRIAL PERIOD IF THE DEFENDANT IS RELEASED ARE DISCUSSED BY AN ASSISTANT COUNTY PROSECUTOR. PROTECTIVE SERVICES ARE INDICATED FOR VICTIMS WHO ARE INTIMIDATED OR THREATENED BY DEFENDANTS OR DEFENDANTS' RELATIVES PRIOR TO TRIAL. A POLICE SERGEANT RELATES HIS EXPERIENCES AS A VICTIM DECOY; HE STRONGLY URGES THAT THE STATE COMPENSATE CRIME VICTIMS, CITING EXAMPLES OF VICTIMS WHO ARE THREATENED OR RECEIVE UNFAIR TREATMENT FROM THE COURT. A PANEL ON VICTIMS' RIGHTS LITIGATION PRESENTS TWO PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL ON THE NEWLY EMERGING AREA OF THIRD PARTY SUITS. TWO CASES ILLUSTRATE THE PRACTICE OF VICTIMS SUING THIRD PARTIES WHOSE NEGLIGENCE PUT THE PERPETRATOR OF THE CRIME AT LIBERTY OR IN A POSITION TO VICTIMIZE. A PRACTICING ATTORNEY COMMENTS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE PRIVATE BAR, ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF VICTIMS AS POTENTIAL CLIENTS AND THE NEED FOR CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION ACTS. ATTORNEYS SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS, HE NOTES. SUCCESSFUL VICTIM-WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED.