Assignment: Victim Participation in the Judicial Process
The increase in victims' rights has led to an increase in victim participation in the criminal justice system. For example, victims or survivors can present a summary of the effects of the crime that includes the economic loss and/or physical and psychological damage they suffered as a result of the crime. The victim can also object to the sentence or treatment of the offender. In this Assignment, you explore these and other types of victim participation and how they relate to specific roles in the criminal justice system.
To prepare:
First, choose one of the following judicial roles:
- Prosecution
- Defense
- Judge
Next, identify a recent or historic criminal case in which elements of victim participation have played a prominent role.
Write a 750 to 1,250 word paper that addresses the following:
1. Explain how the judicial role you chose is affected by one type of victim participation.
2. Explain how the victim may be affected by this type of victim participation.
3. Explain how victim participation affected, or may have affected, the outcome of the case. Use examples from the recent or historic case that you found to illustrate your analysis.
4. Explain how a victim impact statement can affect sentencing in general and contribute to either correcting or adding to sentence disparity.
Be sure to draw upon examples from the case you selected and the Learning Resources to support your response.
Readings:
Turning the Witness Stand into a Speaker's Platform: Victim Participation in the Norwegian Legal System as Exemplified by the Trial Against
Anders Behring Breivik
By Solveig Laugerud