Victims given right to address courts on sentencing

The Government has published a new Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.   The Code will come into force in December and will encourage judges to take into account victims personal statements when determining sentences.  Victims will be able to make a Victim Personal statement to explain how the crime has affected them and, subject to the views of the court, read it out in court or have someone read it for them (in the event of the defendant being found guilty).

Other measures in the code include extra support for their victims, including automatic police referral to support services.

A full copy of the Code can be found below:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/253503/code-of-practice-victims-of-crime-oct13.pdf