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Victims and the Criminal Justice System


328). The President's Task Force on Victims of Crime have proposed that the Sixth Amendment be modified to include specific rights to crime victims. Although there has not been an official addition to the Amendment other acts have been passed to ensure the rights of victims. For example, the Crime Control Act of 1990 became a milestone for victim rights. The Crime Control Act "mandated specific actions and responsibilities of federal personnel in dealing with crime victims" (Doerner & Lab, p. 341). Concentrating on victims' rights at a state level has been more helpful than conquering the task at the federal level. Legislations have been easier to change and follow at the state level for both the victim and the criminal justice system. .
             Other concerns that the criminal justice system has is how involved should the victim be. It has already been established that the victim should be made aware of what is happening in their case and that they should have the option of attending all the justice procedures. Unfortunately not every state allows the victim to be present during the entire process and sometimes not at all. Allowing the victim to give their input during plea bargaining and giving victim impact statements are other issues being debated upon. Advocates believe that the victim should be present for plea bargains and that they should be allowed to share their requests for plea bargains. Critics think that victims will base their thoughts on pure emotion and have no rational behind their decision. I believe that victims should be allowed to share what they think that the offender deserves but the final decision making should come from the court. Victim impact statements allow the victim to share with the court how the victimization has effected his or her life (Doerner & Lab, p. 346). The struggles with victim impact statements is that not many victims exercise the right to use them.


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