A New Model of the Criminal Justice Process: Victims’ Rights as Advancing Penal Parsimony and Moderation

Abstract

In common law jurisdictions theoretical models of the criminal process were developed to enable a greater understanding of the values and forces behind this process. This article discusses victim engagement in the process with a particular look at their contribution to punitiveness during the prosecution and court proceedings. It argues that although existing models remain useful, a complementary model should be added that accounts for recent victim-initiatives, as well as empirical knowledge in the area of victim participation. This model posits that victim participation does not necessarily advance punitiveness and when advancing non-punitive aims, it does not necessarily operate within a restorative justice framework. The proposed model conceives victim participation as contributing to penal parsimony and moderation in criminal proceedings.