Arizona Victim’s Rights
The criminal justice system defines a victim as the recipient in a criminal offense. Sometimes, victims continue to be harassed more in addition to the initial crime. The harassment may come from the offender, other people attempting to change the course of the case, or even the judicial system. Arizona has come up with a set of rules defining the rights that should be enjoyed by a victim in the event of a crime. The bill establishes the rights that a victim enjoys both before and during the judicial process, as well as the limits within which the rights have to be enjoyed. The administration of justice should ensure that the victim does not suffer from intimidations and other shortcomings that might affect the outcome of the justice process.
Crime is assumed to be done against a particular individual, state, or group. According to the Arizona bill of victim’s rights, a victim is anyone against whom the offense is directly affecting (Twist & Williams, 2015). In the event where the person is dead or incapacitated, the definition is used on the person’s spouse, parent, child, or even a person who is recognized by law to act as a representative of the victim. The definition of a victim excludes any person who is in custody or suspected to be an offender. The rights assigned to each victim are meant to ensure the administration of justice without compromise. Additionally, a victim should be treated fairly throughout the process of justice.
A victim has a right to be treated fairly, and any form of intimidation should not be allowed. Although a request is required, the victim has the right to be informed when the accused is no longer in custody, either after being released or after an escape (Boateng, & Abess, 2017). Moreover, the victim should be prioritized in the proceedings of the case. Therefore, the victim has a right to receive any information concerning the processes as well as being present in all the sessions that involve their input. Generally, the victims should not be exposed to conditions that compromise their decision on the search for justice.
Moreover, any decisions before conviction should consider the opinions of the victim. Also, the victim should not be forced to undertake an interview or to discuss any issues concerning the case proceedings as they may be compromised in their attempt to seek justice (Cassell, 2017). Also, reports on pre-conviction proceedings should be availed to the victim so that the process may be transparent. Moreover, restitution should be received from the offender concerning the crime, and the victim should confer with the prosecution after the offense leading to the proceedings.
In sum, the Arizona bill of rights recognizes the rights of a victim in the event of a crime. The Arizona Victim’s Rights defines a victim as the person against whom a crime is committed. Also, the bill allows for other people determined by law to be treated as the victim where the direct victim is dead or incapacitated. Moreover, the accused person, either in or outside custody, is excluded in the definition of a recognized victim. Generally, fairness is prioritized in the bill of rights, with the victim being protected from any possible intimidation. Therefore, a victim is protected by the Arizona victim’s rights, and the process of seeking justice is made as fair as possible.
References
Boateng, F. D., & Abess, G. (2017). Victims’ role in the criminal justice system: A statutory analysis of victims’ rights in US. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 19(4), 221-228.
Cassell, P. G. (2017). Crime Victims’ Rights.
Twist, S. J., & Williams, K. E. (2015). Twenty-Five Years of Victims’ Rights in Arizona. Ariz. St. LJ, 47, 421.