7 FAM 1950
CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
(CT:CON-823; 07-27-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 1951 victims’ rights
CT:CON-823; 07-27-2018)
a. U.S. law sets forth certain rights of victims who report crimes to law enforcement as their cases progress through the investigation, prosecution, appeal, and incarceration of the convicted offender.
b. U.S. victims’ rights laws commonly express that a victim of crime has the right to:
(1) Be treated with dignity and respect;
(2) Be reasonably protected from the accused;
(3) Be notified of court proceedings related to the case;
(4) Seek restitution from the convicted offender; and
(5) Submit a victim impact statement at sentencing; and
(6) Receive information about the arrest, charging, conviction, sentencing, and release of the offender.
c. For a brief history of Crime Victim Assistance in the United States visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service.
d. International Principles – there are a variety of international instruments related to the rights of victims of crime. Most are in the form of non-binding declarations that articulate the rights of crime victims and the types of assistance that should be provided. See the U.N. General Assembly Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power 40/43 of November 29, 1985.
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Victims should be treated with compassion and respect, without judgment, and with a view to securing justice for the harm suffered. |
7 FAM 1952 through-1959 Unassigned