New U.S. Constitutional Amendment - for Victim's Rights

[conjur]

Article discussing it

Became aware today of a hearing coming up next week on a new amendment to the U.S. Constitition. Its aim is to provide federal protection of victims' rights on par with criminals. The ACLU is protesting this stating that the States already have measures in place for victims' rights. However, victims can still be prohibited from attending their attacker's trial and are not always informed in trial date/charge changes.

This article shows that is has not only the support of the President but bipartisan support in Congress, too.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Good to hear. I just hope they don't tack on a bunch of unrelated riders.

 

[TallBill]

They are not allowed in the same courtroom? What? What about the part where the victim testifies.. isn't that enough?

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve
Good to hear. I just hope they don't tack on a bunch of unrelated riders.

That would be a new low... riders on a Constitutional amendment

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve
Good to hear. I just hope they don't tack on a bunch of unrelated riders.

That would be a new low... riders on a Constitutional amendment

Oops, my bad. 😛 I had just finished reading THIS thread and was still thinking in those terms.

 

[Vic]

The reason for our current laws is to prevent our court systems from being used as venues of vengeance by "victims." When prosecuting criminals, the state acts on the behalf of all of society, not the victim. That's for civil courts.

 

[tcsenter]

The U.S. Constitution isn't the proper venue for this kind of public policy measure, statutes are. We already desecrated the US Constitution twice with the enactment of the Prohibition Amendment and then with its repeal. Complete foolishness.

The reason for our current laws is to prevent our court systems from being used as venues of vengeance by "victims." When prosecuting criminals, the state acts on the behalf of all of society, not the victim. That's for civil courts.

Very well said, better than I did.

Victims in many states are allowed to prejudice juries with their testimony. You put a dozen grieving and sobbing family members before a jury and that jury is going to be so emotionally moved that the only thing running through their mind is that someone must be severely punished for this, we don't care who, just give us someone to punish.

We don't need more of that kind of thing, and constitutionally mandated at that.