Bill > S3847

This bill makes various revisions to the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights. It expands the rights of crime victims, including allowing them to communicate with the prosecuting authority prior to and during plea negotiations, be present and heard at judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings involving the crime committed against them, and be represented by private attorneys to enforce their rights. The bill also clarifies that crime victims shall not be required to pay for certain costs related to the imprisonment or commitment of their victimizer, or charged fees to obtain copies of their own records. Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide certain incident reports to victims or their attorneys within a specified timeframe. The bill also continues the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund and authorizes the Division of Criminal Justice to award grants to qualified public entities and not-for-profit organizations that provide direct services to victims and witnesses.