Attorney General's News Release

April 21, 1999

Nixon seeks action on crime-fighting bills during National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Jefferson City, MO — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today called on the state legislature to increase rights for crime victims in the judicial process as part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 25-May 1. Nixon is working with state legislators to pass crime-fighting bills aimed to protect victims of crime in Missouri.

"Crime victims have the right to be heard and to full participation in the criminal judicial system," Nixon said. "I have fought for tough laws and preventive measures that protect victims of crime, but the battle is far from over. We must continue to champion increased rights for victims until balance is restored to the judicial system."

Nixon said crime-fighting proposals before the legislature would:

• Assure victims the right to be in the courtroom throughout a trial (House Bill 325). Under current practice, victims who are also witnesses may be prevented from being present in the courtroom during portions of a trial, while the accused are allowed to be in the courtroom throughout the entire trial.
• Require a person who is criminally committed for a mental disease or defect to wait one year after denial of release to refile for release (HB327).
• Require a juvenile who has been adjudicated for committing a sexual offense, which would be a felony if committed by an adult, to register as a sex offender with the juvenile office in the county where the juvenile lives (HB348).
• Require a protection order issued by another state to be enforced in Missouri (SB360). Under current practice, a protection order issued by another state is not effective unless it is court-identified in Missouri.
• Prevent life insurance benefits from reducing the amount of compensation paid to victims under the state's crime victims' compensation fund (HB1030). Under current practice, life insurance benefits can reduce the amount of compensation paid under the fund.

"During National Crime Victims' Rights Week we must listen to the voices of crime victims and their families, and commit ourselves to fight for them throughout the year," Nixon said.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818