Statement of William R. McGuiness Before the House Subcommittee on the Judiciary Concerning HR 3498 - Victim Compensation on March 15, 1984

• NCJ Number: 93451
• Author(s): W R McGuiness
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This statement of the Deputy Associate Attorney General before the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice addresses the Victims of Crime Act, as well as discussing the Administration's Victims of Crime Assistance Act.

Abstract

In the 1981 Attorney General's Task Force on Violent Crime final report, the Task Force called attention to the role of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system. The Task Force recommended both Federal standards for fair treatment of victims and a study of victim compensation programs. A later executive order established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime. The Task Force suggested legislation to provide funds for victim compensation and assistance programs. Meanwhile, Congress passed and President Reagan signed the Victims and Witness Protection Act. The Act requires that presentence investigations include a statement describing the impact of the offense on the victim. The Act also provides for a civil injunctive remedy to restrain harassment of victims or witnesses. Nonviolation of these harassment statutes is a condition for any release on bail. Corresponding guidelines specify rights of victims and witnesses and the obligations of prosecutors and investigators. The Administration has forwarded to Congress for consideration the Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984. This bill would authorized Federal financial assistance to State victim compensation programs and would enhance existing assistance.