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S 2420 - 97

Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982

Became Public Law No: 97-291.

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Summary

39 Senate agreed to House amendment with amendment May 1, 2004

(Senate agreed to House amendment with an amendment) Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain: (1) information concerning any harm or loss suffered by the victim; (2) information that may aid the court in sentencing; (3) a statement of the circumstances of the commission of the offense; and (4) any prior criminal record of the defendant. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses, "tampering with a witness or an informant," and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain any harrassment of a victim or witness. Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Prescribes a procedure for the issuance of restitution orders. Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance; (6) informing victims or witnesses on legal steps for protection from intimidation. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution. Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit certain offenses.

36 Passed House amended May 1, 2004

(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7191) Comprehensive Victim and Witness Protection and Assistance Act of 1982 - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain: (1) information concerning any harm or loss suffered by the victim; (2) information that may aid the court in sentencing; (3) a statement of the circumstances of the commission of the offense; and (4) any prior criminal record of the defendant. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses, "tampering with a witness or an informant," and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain any harassment of a victim or witness. Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Prescribes a procedure for the issuance of restitution orders. Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance; and (6) informing victims or witnesses on legal steps for protection from intimidation. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to insure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution. Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit certain offenses.

35 Passed Senate amended May 1, 2004

(Measure passed Senate, amended) Omnibus Victims Protection Act of 1982 - Title I: Victims Impact Statement - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense, and any restitution needs of the victim. Title II: Protection of Victims and Witnesses from Intimidation - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses, or potential Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Title III: Restitution - Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution for any offense. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress laws necessary to compensate victims of crimes where restitution is not possible. Title IV: Federal Accountability for Escape or Release of a Federal Prisoner - Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Title V: Federal Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Crime Victims and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System - Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea-bargaining and pre-trial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; and (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance. Title VI: Profit by a Criminal from Sale of His Story - Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution.

01 Reported to Senate with amendment(s) May 1, 2004

(Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, S. Rept. 97-532) Omnibus Victims Protection Act of 1982 - Title I: Victims Impact Statement - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense, and any restitution needs of the victim. Title II: Protection of Victims and Witnesses from Intimidation - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses, or potential Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Title III: Restitution - Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution for any offense. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress laws necessary to compensate victims of crimes where restitution is not possible. Title IV: Federal Accountability for Escape or Release of a Federal Prisoner - Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Title V: Federal Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Crime Victims and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System - Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; and (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance. Title VI: Profit by a Criminal from Sale of His Story - Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution.

00 Introduced in Senate May 1, 2004

Omnibus Victims Protection Act of 1982 - Title I: Victims Impact Statement - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense. Title II: Protection of Victims and Witnesses from Intimidation - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Title III: Restitution - Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution for any offense. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress laws necessary to compensate victims of crimes where restitution is not possible. Title IV: Federal Accountability for Escape or Release of a Federal Prisoner - Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Title V: Federal Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Crime Victims and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System - Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; and (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance. Title VI: Profit by a Criminal from Sale of his Story - Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution.

Sponsors

Timeline

Oct 12, 1982

Measure Signed in Senate.

Oct 12, 1982

Presented to President.

Oct 12, 1982

Presented to President.

Oct 12, 1982

Signed by President.

Oct 12, 1982

Signed by President.

Oct 12, 1982

Became Public Law No: 97-291.

Oct 12, 1982

Became Public Law No: 97-291.

Oct 1, 1982

Considered by Senate.

Oct 1, 1982

Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate concurred in the House amendments with an amendment (SU 1376) by Voice Vote.

Oct 1, 1982

Senate concurred in the House amendments with an amendment (SU 1376) by Voice Vote.

Oct 1, 1982

Resolving differences -- House actions: House Agreed to Senate Amendments to House Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

Oct 1, 1982

House Agreed to Senate Amendments to House Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

Sep 30, 1982

House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Sep 30, 1982

House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Sep 30, 1982

Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.

Sep 30, 1982

Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Sep 30, 1982

Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Sep 29, 1982

Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Justice.

Sep 16, 1982

Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

Sep 14, 1982

Considered by Senate.

Sep 14, 1982

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

Sep 14, 1982

Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

Aug 19, 1982

Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 97-532.

Aug 19, 1982

Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 97-532.

Aug 19, 1982

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 769.

Aug 17, 1982

Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Jul 29, 1982

Subcommittee on Criminal Law. Approved for full committee consideration with amendments favorably.

May 27, 1982

Subcommittee on Criminal Law. Hearings held.

May 3, 1982

Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Law.

Apr 22, 1982

Introduced in Senate

Apr 22, 1982

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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