[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 174 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 174

  Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to 
                protect the rights of victims of crime.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 22, 1996

Mr. Hyde introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred 
                   to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
  Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to 
                protect the rights of victims of crime.

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House 
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when 
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States 
within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

                              ``Article --

    ``Section 1. To ensure that the victim is treated with fairness, 
dignity, and respect, from the occurrence of a crime of violence and 
other crimes as may be defined by law pursuant to section 2 of this 
article, and throughout the criminal, military, and juvenile justice 
processes, as a matter of fundamental rights to liberty, justice, and 
due process, the victim shall have the following rights: to be informed 
of and given the opportunity to be present at every proceeding in which 
those rights are extended to the accused or convicted offender; to be 
heard at any proceeding involving sentencing, including the right to 
object to a previously negotiated plea, or a release from custody; to 
be informed of any release or escape; and to a speedy trial, a final 
conclusion free from unreasonable delay, full restitution from the 
convicted offender, reasonable measures to protect the victim from 
violence or intimidation by the accused or convicted offender, and 
notice of the victim's rights.
    ``Section 2. The several States, with respect to a proceeding in a 
State forum, and the Congress, with respect to a proceeding in a United 
States forum, shall have the power to implement further this article by 
appropriate legislation.''.
                                 <all>