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Amendments
To the Editor:
I am writing to inform you as well as the voters about two of the five amendments to the Virginia Constitution on the November 5th ballot. These two amendments were voted in by both parties in the Virginia legislators two years in a row in order to get them on the ballot.
These two amendments will be the first time the word "victim" will be mentioned in the constitution and give them some rights. There are many references and amendments that address criminals, defendants, or the accused in the constitution but none yet for the victims.
One amendment can create for victims of crime the following rights:
• The right to protection from further harm or reprisal through the imposition of appropriate bail and conditions.
• The right to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness at all stages of the criminal justice system.
• The right to address the circuit court at the time the sentence is imposed.
• The right to receive timely notification of judicial proceedings.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to be advised or release from custody or escape of the offender, whether before or after disposition.
• The right to confer with the prosecution.
The other amendment is to give the Commonwealth the right to appeal. As the law is now, the Commonwealth of Virginia prosecutors cannot appeal. The defense can, ' however, appeal, appeal, and appeal. This amendment will give the prosecutors the right on certain violent crimes to appeal, such as when the jury finds the defendant guilty, but the judges sets aside the verdict. .
Virginia voters, vote "yes" on both of these amendments.
ELINOR M. PEREZ
Sperryville
96.3%