WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Harriet Hageman (WY-At-Large) and Lucy McBath (GA-07) released the following statements after their Eficacia de la Ley sobre la voz de las víctimas dentro y fuera de los tribunales (Victims’ VOICES), which would ensure family members, legal guardians, and those appointed by the court who act on behalf of a victim during certain criminal court case proceedings receive restitution from convicted defendants for costs like transportation, lost income, and childcare that they incur, passed the Senate:

“Family members of violent crime victims, including children and those who have died, should be reimbursed for the financial burden they take on to achieve justice for their loved ones,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would make victims’ representatives whole by ensuring they receive restitution from convicted criminals, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it without delay.”

“Victims and their loved ones face tremendous hardship in the aftermath of violent crimes, and costly fees incurred while seeking justice only add to this stress,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The Victims’ Voices Outside and Inside the Courtroom Effectiveness Act ensures that those acting on behalf of victims receive fair and full compensation, lightening the burden for victims and their families and making it easier to fully access justice. I look forward to swift passage of this critical legislation in the House.”

“La ley federal obliga a los condenados por determinados delitos a indemnizar a sus víctimas, ayudándoles a cubrir gastos necesarios como la atención médica”, declaró el senador Blackburn.. “However, that is not the case for a person assuming the rights of a victim who is a minor, deceased or unable to act for themselves. This is important legislation to ensure all victims receive the justice they deserve.”

“The road to recovery after a violent crime can be costly for both victims and their loved ones who support them,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Our bipartisan legislation would expand restitution coverage to ensure families of victims are financially supported while holding perpetrators accountable and seeking justice.”

“I am proud to introduce this bicameral, bipartisan legislation which clarifies Congressional intent in the wake of harmful judicial interpretations,” said Rep. Hageman. “Al garantizar que una persona que asume los derechos de una víctima pueda optar a la restitución, reforzaremos la capacidad de atender a las víctimas y de llevar plenamente ante la justicia a quienes les hicieron daño. Tratar a las víctimas con justicia y compasión debería ser un concepto unánime y espero con impaciencia que la ley Victims’ VOICES Act se convierta en ley.”

“The devastation and hardship in the aftermath of a crime can have ripple effects across a victim’s entire support network. Parents and guardians may face significant challenges of their own when assisting a loved one as they seek to heal from a traumatic event,” said Rep. McBath. “I am proud to see this important bill pass the Senate. We are one step closer to ensuring that a parent, guardian, or court-appointed individual is guaranteed eligibility for restitution if they must assume the rights of the victim they are supporting.”

Antecedentes:

The Mandatory Victims Restitution Act, which was signed into law in 1996, requires defendants convicted of certain crimes, including violent crimes, to pay restitution to their victims. La restitución puede cubrir una serie de gastos, entre ellos los de transporte, pérdida de ingresos y cuidado de los hijos en los que se haya incurrido al participar en la investigación o el enjuiciamiento del delito, así como la atención y el tratamiento médicos y no médicos y los gastos asociados. En caso de que la víctima sea menor de edad, haya fallecido, esté incapacitada o no sea capaz de actuar en su propio nombre, un familiar, un tutor legal o una persona designada por el tribunal puede “asumir” los derechos de la víctima.

En muchas jurisdicciones, se ha impedido que las personas que actúan en nombre de una víctima reciban restitución por su propia pérdida de ingresos, transporte, cuidado de niños y otros gastos. Esto impone una dificultad significativa al representante de la víctima y una barrera a la reivindicación de los derechos de la víctima. La Ley de la VOZ de las Víctimas modificaría la legislación vigente para aclarar que una persona que actúe en nombre de una víctima tiene derecho a recibir una restitución por los gastos asociados a su participación en la investigación o el enjuiciamiento del delito, su asistencia a los procedimientos judiciales relacionados o su transporte para que la víctima reciba servicios médicos, terapéuticos, de rehabilitación o de otro tipo.

This legislation is endorsed by the National District Attorneys Association, Raven, National Children’s Alliance, Major County Sheriffs of America, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Native American Law Enforcement Association, and the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA).