Expanding the Role of the Victim in a Criminal Action: An Overview of Issues and Problems

There is a growing recognition that crime victims have identifiable interests of sufficient legitimacy and significance to justify expanding their role in criminal proceedings beyond that as a mere non-party witness. This article traces the history of the victim in society and suggests reforms which will help to place the crime victim back into a more meaningful position in the American criminal justice system. Comparisons are made between differing state, national, and international victim programs and the author provides some well-needed insight into the costs and benefits of implementing new ideas which would assist in redefining the role of the victim in a criminal action.