| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 27 | Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 28 |
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| 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. |