NCJ Number
154503
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 3 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 69-81
Date Published
1994
Length
13 pages
Annotation
To examine the effect of newly enacted victim protection and victim compensation laws in the Federal Republic of Germany, lawyers, judges, and prosecutors were surveyed regarding their attitude toward victims' status and the extent of their knowledge regarding victims' rights.
Abstract
The survey results showed that many German criminal justice practitioners remained unfamiliar with the new victim protection laws and seemed unmotivated to learn about their provisions. The victim was still seen only in the role of witness and was considered to represent a nuisance in any role beyond that. The objective of criminal proceeding was seen to be solving and combatting crime. While most lawyers believed that the balance of power in the courts was moving to favor defendants, prosecutors and judges believed that victims had enough power and that additional victims' rights were not necessary. 1 table and 30 references