§ 5318. Derivative rights of member of victim‘s family

(a) If the victim is a minor or is unable to exercise his or her rights under the provisions of this chapter, section 7006 of this title, or 28 V.S.A. § 507, a family member of the victim shall be permitted to do so in place of the victim. If more than one family member of the victim’s family attempts to exercise the victim’s rights, the court may designate one of them to exercise those rights based on the best interests of the victim. If no family member is able to exercise such rights, a victim’s advocate or other representative may, in situations where a victim is authorized by law to address the court or Parole Board, attend and read to the court or Parole Board a written statement prepared by the victim or the victim’s family member without the assistance of the prosecutor or a law enforcement officer.

(b) If a victim is a minor or is incapacitated, incompetent, or deceased, a family member of the victim may exercise the rights of the victim under sections 5305, 5308-5317, and 7006 of this title; 28 V.S.A. §§ 205, 252, and 507; and 33 V.S.A. § 5233. (Added 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1996; amended 2013, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 109.)