Bill Overview
Title: Courtney Wild Crime Victims’ Rights Reform Act of 2022
Description: This bill expands the rights of crime victims, including by (1) allowing victims to make motions requesting that the government seek to void prosecutorial agreements, and (2) providing for attorneys' fees for victims who prevail against the United States in enforcement actions.
Sponsors: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
Target Audience
Population: Victims of crime seeking legal recourse
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill addresses procedural rights for crime victims in legal proceedings.
- It applies to crime victims who may want to challenge prosecutorial agreements with offenders.
- Victims wanting to participate more actively in legal actions against perpetrators would benefit.
- The global reach will depend on the number of crime victims who pursue legal recourse.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to broaden the procedural rights of crime victims who wish to engage more actively in legal processes.
- With a target budget and estimated beneficiaries, the impact will vary based on victims' awareness, access to legal aid, and their inclination to pursue recourse.
- It's crucial to include diverse perspectives, representing those directly affected and those whose considerations might focus on broader justice implications or budgetary allocations.
- The policy primarily impacts those with direct experiences of crime and interest in challenging prosecutorial agreements, potentially lessening the burden of legal costs. Each case has a range of self-reported well-being trajectories depending on individual circumstances and experiences.
Simulated Interviews
Social Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides a meaningful opportunity for victims to have their voices heard in legal processes that can feel overwhelming and unfair.
- I think more victims will feel empowered to seek justice if they know their legal costs might be covered.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Lawyer (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While victims indeed deserve better access to justice, enforcing this on a wide scale may strain the budget when other areas also need funding.
- I foresee a positive shift in the justice system's efficacy, but a meticulously managed financial oversight is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Waitress (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a crucial lifeline for people who can't afford to challenge prosecutorial agreements.
- Legal processes drain you emotionally and financially; knowing I might have support would relieve much of that pressure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Tallahassee, FL)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea of having legal support assures me, even if I don't fully understand all facets of the law.
- I admire efforts to grant us more control over outcomes that affect our lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Investor (New York, NY)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reforms like this are necessary for a fair justice system, but they must balance costs with other public spending needs.
- I'm curious to see how it affects overall crime rates and if these legal leeways could inadvertently lead to frivolous pursuits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Homemaker (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there’s someone who can help me through all the legal noise feels empowering.
- I'm hopeful this will give rise to more informed, supportive network systems for victims.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this can bridge the gap for victims who might feel intimidated to challenge powerful people.
- In my circles, knowing the government sees us, actively supporting us, means a great deal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Policeman (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand the difficult uphill battles many face in courtrooms. Empowering these individuals translates to justice overall.
- Support mechanisms like this reduce potential for manipulation by more resourceful offenders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired Clerk (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find it hard to trust that this will be managed effectively without adding more bureaucracy.
- Nonetheless, having the option is undoubtedly positive for many people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance Consultant (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy implications of this scale need to be rigorously measured against economic trade-offs in other policy areas like education and healthcare.
- It reflects society's response towards victim justice, pointing to broader systemic shifts in accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $73000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $76000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $80000000)
Year 10: $65000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $89000000)
Year 100: $85000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $120000000)
Key Considerations
- Estimating the number of victims who would actively engage in legal proceedings is challenging but critical for cost projections.
- The costs related to attorney's fees awarded to prevailing victims could fluctuate based on case specifics and outcomes.
- Long-term financial implications depend on the success rate of victims' motions and resultant legal proceedings.