NCJ Number
197932
Date Published
2001
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This handbook is designed to help family members of murder victims cope with their loss and understand the criminal justice system process and victim’s rights.
Abstract
This handbook is divided into three sections to help the family members of murder victims cope with their loss and understand the process before them. Section one deals coping with loss after a tragedy. This section includes chapters about emotional reactions to loss and to murder, coping with the funeral and other peoples’ reactions, and the roles of religious, advocacy, and support groups in the healing process. This section includes tips on how to best respond to people who have lost a loved one to murder. The second section contains chapters that explain the criminal justice system, including how police investigations and bail bonds work, how the District Attorney’s Office operates, and understanding prison and parole rules. Included in this section is a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of plea bargaining. The third section contains one chapter about victim’s rights and the media. This chapter explains that while the media has a right to freedom of press, victims of violence also have rights when it comes to dealing with the media. These rights include the right to refuse interview requests, the right to request certain reporters, and the right to select the spokesperson of their choice. Appendix A of the handbook contains the Texas Crime Victim’s Rights. Appendix B is a glossary of legal terms while Appendix C presents references. Finally, Appendix D provides State resources and referral numbers.