State Victims' Rights Amendments
Oklahoma
- A state Constitutional Amendment for Victims' Rights was passed in November, 1996.
- The amendment was passed by 91% of voters.
Amendment Text:
ARTICLE II, SECTION 34
A. To preserve and protect the rights of victims to justice and due process
and ensure that victims are treated with fairness, respect and dignity
and are free from intimidation, harassment or abuse, throughout the
criminal justice process, any victim or family member of a victim of
a crime has the right to know the status of the investigation and prosecution
of the criminal case, including all proceedings wherein a disposition
of a case is likely to occur, and where plea negotiations may occur.
The victim or family member of a victim of a crime has the right to
know the location of the defendant following an arrest, during a prosecution
of the criminal case, during a sentence to probation or confinement,
and when there is any release or escape of the defendant from confinement.
The victim or family member of a victim of a crime has a right to be
present at any proceeding where the defendant has a right to be present,
to be heard at any sentencing or parole hearing, to be awarded restitution
by the convicted person for damages or losses as determined and ordered
by the court, and to be informed by the state of the constitutional
rights of the victim.
B. An exercise of any right by a victim or family member of a victim or the failure to provide a victim or family member of a victim any right granted by this section shall not be grounds for dismissing any criminal proceeding or setting aside any conviction or sentence.
C. The Legislature, or the people by initiative or referendum, has the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to define, implement, preserve and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section, including the authority to extend any of these rights to juvenile proceedings and if enacted by the Legislature, youthful offender proceedings.
D. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights for victims shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights granted by the Legislature or retained by victims.
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