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To: Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
TJJD: Give Victims a Voice
Victims are not being afforded the rights that they are granted by law due to the disorganization of the TJJD system that encompasses the 254 counties in Texas. Examples of rights that these victims are guaranteed are: the right to a speedy trial, notification of the offender's status (when they are up for parole, move facilities, are discharged, etc.), as well as the opportunity to deliver their Victim Impact Statement in court, etc. TJJD should change the wording in Texas Family Code § 57.003- Victims Rights from "The Juvenile Board MAY designate a Victim Assistance Coordinator..." to "The Juvenile Board SHALL designate a Victim Assistance Coordinator...". This will ensure that a designated individual is responsible for helping victims and assure that victims are afforded their rights.
Why is this important?
A 12 year old girl was raped and pressed charges against her offender in 2017. After the trial was delayed three times over the course of three years, this young woman's offender has still not been brought to justice. It is time that we ensure victims are afforded the rights that they are guaranteed by law. This starts with providing victims with a designated contact in each office across Texas that will ensure that the victims' needs are met.
More and more victims feel powerless when their trials are delayed for years at a time. Victims are voiceless when they are not granted time to speak in court and present their Victim Impact Statement. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is a system that prioritizes the punishment of offenders before granting the victims' guaranteed rights. Please help bring justice to these victims by supporting the revision of the Texas Family Code § 57.003.
More and more victims feel powerless when their trials are delayed for years at a time. Victims are voiceless when they are not granted time to speak in court and present their Victim Impact Statement. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is a system that prioritizes the punishment of offenders before granting the victims' guaranteed rights. Please help bring justice to these victims by supporting the revision of the Texas Family Code § 57.003.