Are Victims’ Rights Honored in Veterans Courts? A Statewide Assessment of Law on the Books versus Law in Action

Abstract

ABSTRACT Veterans treatment courts provide alternative resolution of a wide variety of crimes, including crimes of victimization, for eligible veterans. These courts have been evaluated on multiple fronts, from eligibility to outcomes, yet almost no scholarly attention has been given to whether these courts incorporate victims’ rights into operations. This study of veterans treatment courts in one state employs content analysis, surveys, and interviews to examine these courts through a victims’ rights lens. The authors conclude that the courts omit victims’ rights from most of their procedures but seem amenable to adopting policy changes to improve responsiveness to victims’ needs.