Victim Input Research Articles

Victim Participation in Sentencing: And the Debate Goes On …

The right of victims in adversarial legal systems to provide input into sentencing decisions is still controversial. The paper presents the various forms victim input takes and the arguments for and against its use in sentencing. It then surveys the relevant research that has addressed these arguments and examines the implementation of this right. The article concludes that victim input may have some beneficial results for victims and for the justice system, without any of the predicted adverse effects on them.