This essay will explore reasons as to why the participation of victims may cause hostility and emotional strain in a present day court proceeding. Victims have little to no say in the misdemeanours and unlawful acts that have been conflicted on them and/or their family members if the victim has passed due to the offence. Some of the grounds that have been observed in the present day criminal justice system are the emotional tones and word used in the Victim Impact Statement. (VIS). Also being discussed, the ‘era of disenfranchisement’ that is slowly but surely being forced out of criminal legal proceedings.
Victims have a diminutive role to do with any form of a formal dealing with the Criminal Justice System. It is believed that in the past decade an estimated 60% of cases were reported to police (Simmons et al., 2002) exclusively 2% had an outcome of a conviction and a possible sentence. Only a relatively slim amount of victims extend into contact with other criminal justice agencies e.g. the court systems for possible conviction/sentence if applicable. An estimated 90% of catalogued crime is brought to the attention of the police by victims or those …show more content…
Victims have been neglected on being updated with their cases, either if its by a trial or sentence, if applicable. The ‘era of disenfranchisement’ is becoming a thing of the past (since coming into affect in the 19th Century) although, it is still believed that the victims participation in criminal justice hearings to be hostile and emotional. Although this may be the case, the confrontational and eliminatory manner towards the offender, it also shows the enfranchisement of the victim/s. Victims in the past were seen to defend their honour and handle the prosecution process themselves up until the such responsibilities were left with a skilled agency, such as police officers. (Dignan, 2004 pg
Victims have a diminutive role to do with any form of a formal dealing with the Criminal Justice System. It is believed that in the past decade an estimated 60% of cases were reported to police (Simmons et al., 2002) exclusively 2% had an outcome of a conviction and a possible sentence. Only a relatively slim amount of victims extend into contact with other criminal justice agencies e.g. the court systems for possible conviction/sentence if applicable. An estimated 90% of catalogued crime is brought to the attention of the police by victims or those …show more content…
Victims have been neglected on being updated with their cases, either if its by a trial or sentence, if applicable. The ‘era of disenfranchisement’ is becoming a thing of the past (since coming into affect in the 19th Century) although, it is still believed that the victims participation in criminal justice hearings to be hostile and emotional. Although this may be the case, the confrontational and eliminatory manner towards the offender, it also shows the enfranchisement of the victim/s. Victims in the past were seen to defend their honour and handle the prosecution process themselves up until the such responsibilities were left with a skilled agency, such as police officers. (Dignan, 2004 pg