The New Mexico Department of Justice has announced plans to amend the Crime Victims’ Rights Act to give victims more power in court proceedings. The proposed changes aim to enhance protection for victims and their families, as well as ensure that their rights are upheld throughout the criminal justice process. This move comes in response to feedback from victims and advocacy groups, who have raised concerns about the current system’s lack of support for crime victims.
One of the key proposed changes is to grant victims the right to have a lawyer present during court hearings, allowing them to better understand and participate in the legal proceedings. Additionally, the amendments include provisions for victims to receive timely notification of court dates, sentencing hearings, and parole hearings, as well as the right to provide impact statements to the court.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has stated that these amendments are crucial in ensuring that victims are treated with dignity and respect, and that their voices are heard throughout the legal process. Attorney General Hector Balderas emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims’ rights and ensuring that they have access to the resources and support they need to navigate the aftermath of a crime.
The proposed changes to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act have received widespread support from victim advocates and lawmakers, who believe that the amendments will help address some of the existing shortcomings in the current system. The Department of Justice is currently working on finalizing the amendments before presenting them to the state legislature for approval.
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