CRJ 201 Victim Rights and the Justice System
Among the primary functions of a civilized society is the protection of its members from criminal victimization. While this is fundamental, a broader notion of justice to victims is equally fundamental in such a society. The Criminal Justice apparatus is made up of several agencies and actors who all, to one degree or another, work to find those guilty and punish them. But the process used to do that must also be just in the victims’ eyes in order for confidence in the system to be achieved. This course examines the philosophies underpinning victims’ rights, what has and has not been promulgated and done to achieve victims’ satisfaction, and to explore the moral and ethical issues involved.