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SJRES 44 105th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Administration of juvenile justice Armed Forces and National Security Bail Compensation for victims of crime Congress Congressional powers Constitutional amendments Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Families Fugitives from justice Government Operations and Politics Juvenile courts Law Legislation Military law Parole Parties to actions Pleas (Criminal procedure) Sentences (Criminal procedure)

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

Introduced: April 1, 1998 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 12, 1998
By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-409. Additional and minority views filed.
Jul 7, 1998
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 455.
Jul 7, 1998
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 7, 1998
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 25, 1998
Committee on Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Jun 24, 1998
Committee on Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Apr 28, 1998
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-798.
Apr 1, 1998
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 1, 1998
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of crimes of violence the following rights: (1) to reasonable notice of, and to not be excluded from, any public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a statement at all public proceedings to determine a conditional release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence and at a non-public parole proceeding to the extent such rights are afforded to the convicted offender; (3) to reasonable notice of a release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (4) to consideration of the interest of the victim that any trial be free from unreasonable delay; (5) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (6) to consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any conditional release from custody relating to the crime; and (7) to reasonable notice of the rights established by this amendment.

(Sec. 2) Grants the victim or the victim's lawful representative standing to assert such rights.

Provides that nothing in this amendment shall: (1) provide grounds to stay or continue any trial, reopen any proceeding, or invalidate any ruling, except with respect to conditional release or restitution or to provide rights guaranteed by this amendment in future proceedings, without staying or continuing a trial; and (2) give rise to or authorize the creation of a claim for damages against the United States, a State, a political subdivision, or a public officer or employee.

(Sec. 3) Empowers the Congress to enforce this amendment by appropriate legislation. Allows exceptions to the rights established by this amendment only when necessary to achieve a compelling interest.

(Sec. 4) Makes: (1) the right to a restitution order established by this amendment inapplicable to crimes committed before its effective date; and (2) the rights and immunities established by this amendment applicable in Federal and State proceedings, including military proceedings to the extent that the Congress may provide by law, juvenile justice proceedings, and proceedings in the District of Columbia and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

What's happening now October 12, 1998

By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-409. Additional and minority views filed.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1