Article I, Section 28. [Declaration of the rights of crime victims.]
(1) To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process, victims of crimes
have these rights, as defined by law:
(a) To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from harassment and
abuse throughout the criminal justice process;
(b) Upon request, to be informed of, be present at, and to be heard at important criminal
justice hearings related to the victim, either in person or through a lawful representative, once a
criminal information or indictment charging a crime has been publicly filed in court; and
(c) To have a sentencing judge, for the purpose of imposing an appropriate sentence,
receive and consider, without evidentiary limitation, reliable information concerning the
background, character, and conduct of a person convicted of an offense except that this
subsection does not apply to capital cases or situations involving privileges.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating a cause of action for money
damages, costs, or attorney's fees, or for dismissing any criminal charge, or relief from any
criminal judgment.
(3) The provisions of this section shall extend to all felony crimes and such other crimes
or acts, including juvenile offenses, as the Legislature may provide.
(4) The Legislature shall have the power to enforce and define this section by statute.
No History for Constitution
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Last revised: Thursday, May 28, 2009