Opinion ID: 2543706
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the victims' rights amendment, the victims' rights act, and the rights of crime victims act

Text: ¶ 18 In 1987, the Utah Legislature enacted the Victims' Rights Act. See Utah Code Ann. §§ 77-37-1 to -5 (1999). This statute included, among other things, a bill of rights for victims, id. § 77-37-3, and declared that these rights must be protected in a manner no less vigorous than protections afforded criminal defendants. Id. § 77-37-1. The Utah Legislature then passed the Victims' Rights Amendment, which was ratified by Utah citizens on November 8, 1994, and took effect on January 1, 1995. [5] Utah Const. art. I, § 28 compiler's notes. This constitutional amendment bestowed specific rights upon crime victims and gave the Utah Legislature the power to enforce and define [its terms] by statute. Acting pursuant to this authority, the Utah Legislature subsequently enacted the Rights of Crime Victims Act. Utah Code Ann. §§ 77-38-1 to -14 (1999 & Supp. 2001). This act elaborated upon the rights afforded crime victims under the Victims' Rights Amendment and defined several terms included in the amendment. [6] Id.