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SJRES 6 105th Congress Senate

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

Introduced: April 7, 1997 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Administration of criminal justiceBailCompensation for victims of crimeCongress
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Congressional powersConstitutional amendmentsCriminal justice informationDue process of lawFugitives from justiceGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicityImprisonmentLawLegislationParoleParties to actionsPleas (Criminal procedure)Sentences (Criminal procedure)Speedy trial
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 28, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11010-11013)
Apr 16, 1997
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-212.
Mar 19, 1997
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, Property.
Jan 21, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 21, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S560-561)
Jan 21, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 28, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11010-11013)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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

Grants the victim standing to assert such rights. Provides that nothing in this amendment shall: (1) provide grounds for the victim to challenge a charging decision or a conviction, to obtain a stay of trial, or to compel a new trial or for the accused or convicted offender to obtain any form of relief; or (2) give rise to a claim for damages against the United States, a State, a political subdivision, or a public official.

Grants power to the Congress and the States to enforce this amendment within their respective jurisdictions by appropriate legislation, including the power to enact exceptions when required for compelling reasons of public safety or for judicial efficiency in mass victim cases.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 6: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-SJRES-6/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 6: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-SJRES-6/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 6, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-SJRES-6/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 6: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-SJRES-6/)
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