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Utah Senate advances victims'rights constitutional amendment and implementing statute to third reading
Summary
Lawmakers moved SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment establishing victims'rights, and companion SB 156, the statutory package to implement those rights, to third reading after extended floor debate over hearsay at preliminary proceedings and victims' impact statements.
Senator Craig Peterson introduced a constitutional amendment, SJR 6, and described it as "a modification of our constitution to bring into balance the issue of the rights of the victims of crime as well as the rights of the accused of crimes." The resolution would add a declaration of victims' rights into the Utah Constitution and make those rights operative throughout criminal proceedings.
On the Senate floor Peterson said the amendment "preserve[s] and protect[ ] victims' rights to justice and due process, and to be free from harassment and abuse throughout the criminal justice process." He urged colleagues the change was meant to codify protections already sought in practice, including the option to shield victims from repeated…
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