Proposed Amendments to Federal Sentencing Rules Expanding Victims' Rights

Page 40 of 52 2005 B.Y.U.L. Rev. 835, *903 the opportunity to make "sentencing recommendations." 7”4 Given that matters in the presentence report may often determine what effect a sentencing recommendation will have, the victim's right presumably extends to participating in the process that determines the Guideline range. The changes in Rule 32 noted above simply incorporate the victim in the Guidelines process. Changing the rule in this fashion would also clarify the appropriate sequencing of sentencing hearings. Rule 32(i) already allows the victim to submit "any information" about the sentencing. 77° Yet if the experience in my court is any guide, the victim's allocution frequently occurs only after the court has decided all the issues surrounding the presentence report. For the victim's right to provide information to the court to truly have meaning, the victim's information must be presented early enough to potentially affect critical sentencing issues, including issues about Guidelines calculations. As with the changes discussed in the previous section, changes in the Sentencing Guidelines Manual are also required here. The Advisory Committee also should coordinate with the Sentencing Commission to ensure that its actions are consistent. Rule 32()(4) - Conforming Amendment to Victims’ Right To Be Heard The Proposal: Rule 32(1)(4) should be amended to conform the definition of victim to that found in the CVRA as follows: (B) By a Victim. Before imposing sentence, the court must address any victim of a the crime of violence or sexual abuse who is present at sentencing and must permit the victim to speak or submit any information about the sentence. Whether or not the victim is [*904] present, a victim's right to address the court may be exercised by the following persons if present: (i) a parent or legal guardian, if the victim is younger than 18 years or is incompetent; or (i1) one or more family members or relatives the court designates, if the victim is deceased or incapacitated. The Rationale: As noted earlier, 77° Rule 32 currently contains a definition of "victim" that is narrower than the CVRA's definition. The simplest fix is simply to strike the definition of victim and victim's representative here and include an appropriate definition in Rule 1. (New) Rule 43.1 - Victim's Right To Attend Trials The Proposal: A new rule implementing the victim's right to be present at trials and other proceedings should be added as follows: Rule 43.1 Victim's Presence (a) Victim's Right To Attend. A victim has the right to attend any public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding. Before making any determination to exclude a victim, the court shall make every effort to permit the fullest attendance possible by the victim and shall consider reasonable alternatives to the exclusion of the victim from the criminal proceeding. The reasons for any decision to exclude a victim shall be clearly stated on the record. (b) Proceeding With and Without Notice. The court may proceed with a public proceeding without a victim if proper notice has been provided to that victim under Rule 10.1. The court may proceed with a public proceeding (other than a trial or sentencing) 274 Td, 275, Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(i)(4)(B). 276 See discussion supra notes 120-27, 220-23 and accompanying text discussing Rules 1 and 32(a). DAVID SCHOEN HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017754