Advocates for crime victims in Florida say they deserve the same sort of protection that criminals enjoy.
Retired Federal Judge Paul Cassell says Florida used to be a national leader on victim rights... but that was a few decades ago.
Thirty-four other states say the provide equal rights for crime victims. To a certain degree, they all provide victims notices of and, in some states, the ability to participate in proceedings and decisions regarding their attacker.
Cassell is part of a group that wants to add victims' rights amendment to the Florida constitution, including:
- Notification of public proceedings involving defendant’s criminal conduct
- Conference with state attorney on any plea agreement
- Ability to provide information regarding impact of crime
- Access to any pre-sentence report and other relevant records
- Notification of conviction, sentence, and place of incarceration
- Notification of all post-conviction processes and procedures
A state commission votes next month on whether to put that proposition on the ballot next November. Amendments need 60 percent of the vote for approval.