U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

VICTIMS OF CRIME OR VICTIMS OF JUSTICE?

NCJ Number
44805
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
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.