Bush Boosts Victims' Rights

Marking "National Crime Victims' Rights Week," President Bush on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment for victims of violent crime, reports CBS News Correspondent Peter Maer.

If enacted, the amendment would require that victims be notified of public court proceedings, allow victims to tell judges and juries during sentencing hearings about their experiences and require courts to consider claims of restitution for victims.

The president said this was "one of those rare instances where amending the Constitution is the right thing to do."

"Our legal system properly protects the rights of the accused in the Constitution, but it does not provide similar protection for the rights of victims – and that must change," said Mr. Bush, speaking in the Great Hall of Justice at the Justice Department, blocks from the White House.

The proposed amendment is sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and John Kyl of Arizona — "one a Democrat, one a Republican, both great Americans," Mr. Bush said.

The president said existing victims' rights laws, which vary by state, "are insufficient," and said the courts system sometimes treats victims as an "afterthought."

"When our criminal justice system treats victims as bystanders, they are victimized a second time," Mr. Bush said, quoting victims as saying their courtroom experiences were like a "huge slap."

Attorney General John Ashcroft said the amendment "puts victims and families first."

"Too often in the quest for justice, the rights of victims have been overlooked," Ashcroft said.

Two years ago, a similar proposal died in the Senate with opponents contending the Constitution is the wrong place to list victims' rights.

To become the law of the land, an amendment must gain two-thirds majorities in both the House and the Senate and be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.