Individuals and organizations on all sides of this issue share a common laudable goal: to protect the rights crime victims. Achieving this goal in a criminal justice as delicately balanced as ours, however, is no easy task. The attraction of amending the Constitution to try to achieve this goal is obvious�it seems to be a powerful statement of the importance of victims� rights�but as with most easy and attractive solutions to complex problems, it would be a mistake.

Rather than taking the concrete steps needed to ensure the rights of victims, the proposed constitutional amendment forces the false choice of trading off the principle of �innocent until proven guilty� and the right to a fair trial in order to protect victims. In fact, prosecutors across the country have said that this amendment could even hamper the ability of law enforcement to effectively prosecute cases.

Opposition to this amendment comes from all corners of the country, and most importantly from victims themselves. Those who have had the misfortune of being crime victims and have seen the inner workings of our criminal justice system firsthand know that what they need during a trial and after are resources and information�neither of which will be guaranteed by amending the Constitution.

We invite you to read further about the dangers of accepting the empty promise of this constitutional amendment. In the testimonies of victims before Congress and in individual and organizational statements you will find many reasons why victims, victims� organizations and others so vehemently oppose this amendment.You can even share your opinion on this issue by clicking HERE to send a free fax to your Members of Congress.

Finally, if you would to share your story, get more information or get involved in the effort to oppose this misguided effort by Congress, please visit the websites of organizations that oppose this amendment and/or contact us.



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