HM 0015E 2003
1	House Memorial
2	A memorial to the Congress of the United States, urging
3	Congress to enact a proposed amendment to the Constitution
4	of the United States to protect the rights of crime
5	victims.
6
7	WHEREAS, the rights of a victim of violent crime, being
8	capable of protection without denying the constitutional rights
9	of those accused of victimizing him or her, should not be
10	denied, and
11	WHEREAS, a victim of a violent crime should have the right
12	to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding
13	involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused,
14	and
15	WHEREAS, a victim has the right to be included in such
16	public proceeding and to be reasonably heard at public release,
17	plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings, and
18	WHEREAS, a victim has the right to adjudicative decisions
19	that duly consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding
20	unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution
21	from the offender, and
22	WHEREAS, these rights should not be restricted except when
23	and to the degree dictated by a substantial interest in public
24	safety or the administration of criminal justice or by
25	compelling necessity, NOW, THEREFORE,
26
27	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
28
29	That the Congress of the United States is requested to
30	enact a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United
31	States to protect the rights of crime victims.
32	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
33	dispatched to the President of the United States, to the
34	President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the
35	United States House of Representatives, and to each member of
36	the Florida delegation to the United States Congress.