Standing to Assert Crime Victims' Rights - 0 views
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Nye Frank on 04 Jun 09JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT OF 2004 The federal Justice For All Act of 2004 (PL 108-405) enhances protections for victims of federal crimes and increases federal resources available to state and local governments to combat crime. Title I of the act, the "Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims' Rights Act," requires courts to ensure that crime victims are afforded the rights the act prescribes. It specifies that a crime victim, his lawful representative, or the attorney for the government may assert the rights in U. S. District Court. If the requested relief is denied, the movant may petition the court of appeals for a writ of mandamus, which the appeals court must decide within 72 hours. A court's failure to afford a crime victim his rights is not grounds for a new trial, but a victim can move to reopen a plea or a sentence on that basis. The act does not authorize a cause of action for damages or create, enlarge, or imply any duty or obligation to any victim or other person for any breach by federal government officers or employees (§ 102). The act appropriates $ 7 million for fiscal year 2005 and $ 11 million each for fiscal years 2006-2009, in part, for the support of state organizations that enforce crime victims' rights and provide legal counsel and support services. The states where these organizations are located must have laws substantially equivalent to the federal law (§ 103).
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Nye Frank on 04 Jun 09JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT OF 2004 The federal Justice For All Act of 2004 (PL 108-405) enhances protections for victims of federal crimes and increases federal resources available to state and local governments to combat crime. Title I of the act, the "Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims' Rights Act," requires courts to ensure that crime victims are afforded the rights the act prescribes. It specifies that a crime victim, his lawful representative, or the attorney for the government may assert the rights in U. S. District Court. If the requested relief is denied, the movant may petition the court of appeals for a writ of mandamus, which the appeals court must decide within 72 hours. A court's failure to afford a crime victim his rights is not grounds for a new trial, but a victim can move to reopen a plea or a sentence on that basis. The act does not authorize a cause of action for damages or create, enlarge, or imply any duty or obligation to any victim or other person for any breach by federal government officers or employees (§ 102). The act appropriates $ 7 million for fiscal year 2005 and $ 11 million each for fiscal years 2006-2009, in part, for the support of state organizations that enforce crime victims' rights and provide legal counsel and support services. The states where these organizations are located must have laws substantially equivalent to the federal law (§ 103).