Assembly requires DAs to mail final felony dispositions to named crime victims

The Assembly on June 5 passed A.66332A, a bill requiring the district attorney or the DA's designee to mail a written final disposition of felony cases (sentencing or acquittal) to named crime victims who were not present at that final proceeding. The bill passed by recorded vote, Ayes 134, Noes 9.

Sponsor Assemblymember Romero said the change responds to situations where victims miss the last court appearance and may not know the outcome of a case that affects orders of protection, sentencing, fines or incarceration. She said the district attorney's victim-services unit would be the likely designee for mailings.

During floor questions, members asked for specifics about who counts as a "named" victim, what the written "final disposition" must contain, whether mail could be electronic, and how the bill would handle mass-victim cases such as municipal embezzlement investigations. Romero and supporters clarified the written notice is intended to include the legal final disposition (sentencing outcomes, fines, incarceration, orders of protection) and that "designee" would typically be the DA's victim unit or advocates within the DA's office. The sponsor confirmed the notice would be mailed to the last known address and said mail could include electronic transmission as appropriate.

Opponents, including some former prosecutors, described implementation burdens for smaller DA offices and questioned whether the bill duplicated existing communication practices. Sponsor Romero said many DA offices already provide such notices but that a statutory requirement would ensure uniformity.

The Assembly recorded the vote as Ayes 134, Noes 9. The bill passed and will take effect on the statutory date read on the floor.