Senate Passes Two Criminal Procedure Bills Sponsored by Senator Stavisky

Albany, NY—Yesterday, the State Senate passed two pieces of legislation, both sponsored by State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. Senate bills S3154 and S3162 both address the rights of crime victims.

The first, S3154, requires victims of a crime to be notified by the district attorney of their right to provide an impact statement. Under current law, notice goes out to victims upon request, in felony cases that result in a felony conviction 

“A victim of a crime undergoes a tremendous amount of stress throughout the entire legal process and, at times, for the rest of their lives; so much so that many may be unaware of their right to provide a victim impact statement,” State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said. “This legislation takes the burden off of the victim by no longer requiring them to request to meet with the parole board or share their feelings on the matter with the Department of Corrections.”

 The second, S 3162, gives a crime victim access to information about the status of a case in which they were involved, as well as the right to participate in the judicial proceedings of a juvenile offender.

“Victims should be entitled to know how court proceedings are going, even when the perpetrator is a juvenile,” State Senator Toby Stavisky said. “Whether it be out of concern for their safety, their peace of mind or interest in the case, a victim should not be shut out of court proceedings.”

Assembly versions of the bills, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, are A89 and A118 . They are in committee and on the floor calendar respectively.

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