It traces the experiences of victims through the criminal justice process, comparing New York's and New Jersey's victim compensation programs. Using extensive interviews with officials and victims of violent crime, it shows how programs differ when compensation is viewed as welfare and when it is viewed as a right. The study indicates that victim compensation programs fail to achieve their stated goals of reimbursing victims, improving victim attitudes and cooperation with law enforcement, and providing social stability and goodwill toward government. Victim compensation pays few victims of violent crimes, and often inadequately. Victims have economic motivations for criminal justice involvement, but compensation and other payments are largely nonexistent. Applying for compensation does not improve victim attitudes or willingness to cooperate with law enforcement and government. The study concludes that recent attention paid to crime victims has been associated with a 'law-and-order' mentality that has made things worse for victims. Little real commitment to victims of violent crime exists because they are among society's powerless lower classes. Victim compensation has failed because its enactment seems closely related to appeasing lower-class discontent, much as with other welfare programs. Victim compensation is a more symbolic than tangible policy -- part of a broader movement attempting to cope with crime by patching its consequences, instead of addressing its underlying sources. Tabular data and notes are given. Appendixes contain the research instrument and other study data. A bibliography of over 500 entries is also provided. (Author abstract modified)