COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF CRIME - A COMPARATIVE SURVEY (FROM VICTIMOLOGY - A NEW FOCUS, V 2 - SOCIETY'S REACTION TO VICTIMIZATION, 1974 BY ISRAEL DRAPKIN AND EMILIO VIANO - SEE NCJ-15541)

• NCJ Number: 30588
• Author(s): V HASSON; L SEBRA
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Hebrew University
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A REVIEW OF EXISTING COURT COMPENSATION AND STATE COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR CRIME VICTIMS IN GREAT BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, AND ISRAEL.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT TRADITIONAL COURT COMPENSATION SYSTEMS EXIST IN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES. IT IS OBSERVED THAT THIS SYSTEM POSES SEVERAL SERIOUS DISADVANTAGES FOR THE CRIME VICTIM. STATE COMPENSATION SCHEMES IN NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NORTHERN IRELAND, ENGLAND, ISRAEL, AND THE STATES OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK ARE DESCRIBED. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT ALTHOUGH COMPENSATION BY THE STATE REPRESENTS A GREAT ADVANCE IN THE POSITION OF THE VICTIM, SEVERAL FAILINGS OF THIS SYSTEM ARE APPARENT. AMONG THESE ARE THAT MOST STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION PLANS PROVIDE FOR COMPENSATION ONLY FOR CRIMES OF VIOLENCE; THAT MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM LIMITS ON COMPENSATION MAY BE UNJUST TO SOME VICTIMS; AND THAT COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES CAUSED BY OFFENSES WITHIN THE FAMILY IS OFTEN EXCLUDED. SOME ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR VICTIM COMPENSATION ARE REVIEWED, INCLUDING REPARATION BY THE OFFENDER AND COURT ACTIONS AGAINST THE STATE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION. A STUDY OF COMPENSATION AWARDS BY THE JERUSALEM DISTRICT COURT IS APPENDED.