ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996                TAG: 9604230127
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON 
SOURCE: Associated Press

CRIME VICTIM PROTECTIONS ADVOCATED AMENDMENT WOULD SPELL OUT RIGHTS

Victims of violent crime would have the right to speak at their attackers' sentencings and would be protected from intimidation under a constitutional amendment proposed Monday.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill. and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the amendment to mark National Crime Victims' Rights Week. ``This year, 43 million Americans will be victimized by serious crime,'' Kyl told a news conference.

Feinstein said that while defendants ``have all kinds of basic rights guaranteed,'' such as the rights to remain silent when arrested and to a speedy trial, victims ``have no rights at all.''

The lawmakers cited a Justice Department survey indicating crime costs Americans at least $450 billion a year, including legal fees, lost work time and the cost of police.

The proposed amendment would give victims the right:

* To be present at significant legal proceedings in the offender's case and to speak at sentencings, including the right to object to a previously negotiated plea or to the offender's release from custody.

* To be informed of any release or escape of the criminal.

* To a speedy trial of the suspect.

* To full restitution from convicted offenders.

An anti-terrorism bill Congress passed last week, which President Clinton has said he will sign, requires such compensation.

* To ``reasonable measures'' to protect them against further violence or intimidation by offenders.

For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, 290 House members and 66 senators must vote for it and 38 state legislatures must ratify it.

Feinstein noted that 20 states have passed their own victims' rights amendments. Only an amendment to the Constitution, she said, ``can ensure that all victims of serious crimes are treated with fairness, dignity and respect.''

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans a hearing on the amendment today.

Hyde said his House panel will hold a hearing as soon as possible. He acknowledged, however, that with a busy legislative schedule ahead, ``trying to get time on the floor [for a vote] is tough.''

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