Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the rights of a crime victim

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the rights of a crime victim. to be treated with fairness and dignity, with respect for the victim’s safety and privacy, and to be informed of all rights in this section. The joint resolution provides that upon request, a victim shall have the right to reasonable notice of all proceedings involving the criminal offense; to be present and to be heard in any proceeding involving a release, plea, sentencing, disposition, parole, and any right of the victim; to release conditions which protect the victim; to notice of any release or escape of the defendant; to restitution; and to confer with the attorney for the government. A victim may assert the rights enumerated in the joint resolution. The joint resolution defines a victim to mean a person who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of a public offense or a delinquent act, other than a simple misdemeanor, committed in this state. Under the joint resolution, a victim includes the immediate family members of a victim who died or was rendered incompetent as a result of the offense or who was under years of age at the time of the offense. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (90th) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.