Vermont Statutes Title 13 Sec. 5303
Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 13 Sec. 5303
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Justice: when applied to a person, other than a Justice of the Supreme Court, shall mean a justice of the peace for the county for which he or she is elected or appointed. See
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States may apply to the District of Columbia and any territory and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
§ 5303. Legislative purpose
(a) The fundamental objective underlying this chapter is the protection of victims of crime. This chapter seeks to ensure that crime victims are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve while functioning in a system in which they find themselves through no fault of their own. This chapter seeks to accommodate that objective and balance crime victims’ needs and rights with criminal defendants’ rights.
(b) This chapter also seeks to reduce the financial, emotional, and physical consequences of criminal victimization, to prevent victimization by the law enforcement and criminal justice system, and to assist victims with problems that result from their victimization.
(c) Victims of crime shall be treated with courtesy and sensitivity by the court system and the State‘s Attorney’s office. Those responsible should ensure that the process of criminal prosecution moves smoothly and expeditiously and, after the conclusion of a prosecution, should cooperate in an appropriate manner with victims who seek to enforce their civil rights and remedies, which cooperation may include preserving and producing evidence, documents, and testimony to the victims for use in such efforts. (Added 1985, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1986; amended 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1996.)