HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017650
This document highlights significant concerns regarding the rights of victims and their representatives in the context of federal criminal proceedings, particularly in relation to the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA). The omission of victim representatives in proposed rules raises questions about the treatment of victims in cases like Epstein's, where victim intimidation and discrediting were prevalent.
- The proposed rule omits any reference to a crime victim's representative, which contrasts with the CVRA's enforcement provision that allows for such representation.
- The Advisory Committee's failure to track the CVRA's language leaves the impression that they are uncomfortable with a victim's representative asserting rights.
- The document references a Tenth Circuit ruling that rebuked a trial judge for allowing victims' counsel to participate in a sentencing hearing, indicating a historical reluctance to recognize victims' representatives in legal proceedings.