Crime victims' guide to justice
By: Mary L. Boland.
Series: Self-help law kit with forms; Legal survival guides
Publisher: Sourcebooks; Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Naperville, IL
Language: eng
Number of pages: 209
Subjects: Victims of crimes -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States -- Popular works; Criminal procedure -- United States -- Popular works
Notes: Includes index.

CONTENTS:

Using self-help law books -- Introduction -- The criminal justice system. The criminal law -- The criminal justice system -- Types of crimes -- Elements of crimes -- The offender -- The state's case -- The defense case -- Surviving the criminal justice system. The impact of crime -- Getting help -- Victim-assistance programs -- Hotline services -- Crisis counseling -- The crime victim advocate -- How to find a program -- What if there are no local programs? -- The victim in the criminal justice system. Family members and loved ones -- Witnesses -- The growth of victims' rights -- Constitutional rights of victims -- Victim ``bill of rights'' laws -- The right to restitution -- The right to compensation -- The right to civil justice -- Case management -- Your privacy rights. Protecting the victim's privacy -- Your rights and the media -- Reporting the crime. Contacting the police -- The role of hospitals and medical personnel -- The police investigation. The victim interview -- The crime scene -- The detective's role -- The rights of the victim -- Arresting the offender. Identifying the offender -- Lineup procedures -- Unknown offenders -- Making the arrest -- What if police don’t make an arrest? -- Filing the charge. Who makes the decision to file? -- Screening the case -- Methods of charging -- The grand jury -- Time limits -- The charges in your case -- Pretrial procedures. The role of the judge -- The victim's rights -- The right to a speedy trial -- Arraignment : defendant's initial appearance -- Bail -- Preliminary hearing -- Pre-trial motions -- Plea bargaining. Types of plea bargains -- Procedures -- The victim's role -- 

The criminal trial. Defendant’s right to a jury -- Opening statement -- Evidence and testimony -- The state's case -- The victim as a witness -- The defense case -- Closing statement -- The verdict. The role of the jury -- The bench trial -- A verdict on some of the charges -- The sentence. Sentencing dispositions -- The sentencing hearing -- The victim impact statement -- What the sentence really means -- Violations of sentencing orders -- Appeal. Who can appeal? -- What happens to the offender during an appeal? -- What can an appeals court do? -- The victim's rights -- After the criminal trial. When it’s over -- Release or escape of the offender -- Recovering damages -- Criminal versus civil courts -- Other options for recovery of damages -- The and who of a civil lawsuit. What is a civil suit? -- Who are the parties to the suit? -- What if the defendant’s sues the victim? -- The burden of proof -- The elements of civil suit -- Theories -- Causation -- Common defenses -- Damages -- The effect of the criminal case on the civil suit. The effect of a civil suit on the victim -- The how and when of a civil lawsuit.  Evaluating and preparing the case -- The time and place to file -- Overview of the civil court process -- Starting the process -- The discovery stage -- Settling the case -- Presenting the case -- The verdict, judgment, and post trial decisions -- Enforcing the judgment -- Selected issues and cases. Sexual assault victims -- Domestic violence victims -- Cases against third parties -- The role of lawyers. Lawyers and confidentiality -- Finding a lawyer -- Fee agreements -- Working with the lawyer -- Glossary -- Appendix A : sample forms -- Appendix B : state-by-state laws -- Appendix C : legal research -- Appendix D : resources.