Securing Rights for Victims

Clinics have dealt with a range of victims' rights issues in trial courts, including the rights to be present, to be consulted about plea offers, to make an impact statement, to be notified of changes in defendants' detention status, to restitution, and to privacy. However, the principal issue has been victims' standing before the court to enforce their rights. This book discusses how some clinics have won significant gains at the appellate and federal court levels concerning victim standing, the rights to be consulted and heard, and the right to privacy. Some have won significant victories in gaining standing for victims and expanding the definition of particular rights. Others are enjoined in the battle. But all have raised awareness of victims' rights with prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and police officials.