Washington, D.C. - Congressman Steve Chabot (R, Ohio), Congressman Ed Royce (R, California), Congressman John Shadegg (R, Arizona), and Congressman Kevin Brady (R, Texas) today introduced a crime victims’ rights statute in the House.  The legislation, H.R. 4342, is identical to legislation which passed the Senate, S. 2329, by a vote of 96-1 on April 22, 2004.     

 

This important legislation would empower crime victims by allowing them to confront their assailants in court and at sentence or parole hearings; protect victims by requiring that they be notified about the release or escape of the perpetrator from custody and by requiring that the victim’s safety be considered in determining a release from custody; and restore victims by guaranteeing them the right to seek restitution from their attackers. 

           

Congressman Chabot commented: “Crime victims deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in our criminal justice system.  The legislation we are introducing today represents the most expansive protections for crime victims ever enacted under federal law.  While I remain a strong proponent of a victims’ rights constitutional amendment, these strong new victims’ rights are a step in the right direction, and  I am hopeful that the House will consider this legislation in the near future.” 

 

"Like California's Proposition 115, which I authored, this legislation will help ensure that victims' aren't ignored or neglected by a legal system which, too often, appears to tilt in favor of the criminal,” said Congressman Ed Royce.  “ I hope we can get this bill to the President's desk as soon as possible."

 

“For too long, our courts have concentrated on protecting the rights of criminals, without giving adequate consideration to the rights of their victims,” said Congressman John Shadegg. “People traumatized by crime deserve every possible consideration from our justice system, and this bill is a critically necessary step towards making sure they get what they deserve.”

 

“Guaranteeing basic rights to victims of crime is important to America because we are a country with two classes of citizens -- those who have been touched by violent crime and those who someday will be,” said Congressman Kevin Brady.  “It is not enough to bring justice to criminals, we must also bring justice to those too often forgotten -- the victims and their surviving family.”

 

Currently, 32 states have adopted a constitutional amendment to provide rights to victims of crime, and all 50 states have enacted victims’ rights legislation. H.R. 4342 will ensure that  important protections for crime victims are also applied to federal court proceedings.                    

           

The legislation is named after five victims of violent crime: Scott Campbell of San Juan Capistrano, California; Stephanie Roper of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Wendy Preston of Venice, Florida; Louarna Gillis, Alhambra, California; and Nila Lynn of Sun City, Arizona.