Kerry Bentivolio on Crime

Sponsored Constitutional Amendment defining victims' rights.

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

Congressional Summary:Prohibits denial or abridgement of the rights of a crime victim to fairness, respect, and dignity. Grants a crime victim the right:

1. to not be excluded from public proceedings relating to the offense;
2. to be heard at any release, plea, sentencing, or other such proceeding;
3. to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
4. to reasonable notice of the release or escape of the accused;
5. to due consideration of the crime victim's safety and privacy; and
6. to restitution.

Opponent's argument against bill: (Testimony of Prof. Robert P. Mosteller before the House Subcommittee):

The infamous police brutality case of Rodney King in Los Angeles provides an example of the problematic nature of giving special trial rights to victims. But for the videotape shot by a neighbor of the beating administered by the police to King, King was on his way to being charged with assault on police officers. In this prosecution, the true perpetrators would hav

Rated 46% by the NAPO, indicating a police-the-police stance.

Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.

"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation’s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO’s accomplishments:

• Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
• Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
• Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
• Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
• Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)

VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:

• 0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
• 50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
• 75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.