I have previously blogged on the Office of Victim's Rights (see here and here). In talking with a couple of attorneys this last week, I learned that the OVR does not support 'victims' who do not wish to prosecute cases. They only support and represent victims who wish to see the defendant go away. Why is one decision any more intrinsically valid than the other? Yes, there are some 'victims' who are too scared to testify, but there are also some who use a little altercation as a time to get payback. Which is worse - someone too scared to testify or someone exaggerating a situation because (s)he is pissed off at the defendant?
I think they should call the agency 'The Office That Supports People Who Want To Put Other People In Jail'. But OVR is easier for some to remember than TOTSPWWTPOPIJ. "OVR" probably gets more funding, too.
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