Victims and Plea Negotiations

This book explores victims' views of plea negotiations and the level of input thatthey desire. It draws on the empirical findings of the first in-depth study of victimsand plea negotiations conducted in Australia. Over the last 50 years, the criminaljustice system has seen major changes in both the role that victims play in thejustice process and in how the vast majority of criminal cases are finalised. Guiltypleas have become the norm, and many of these result fromnegotiationsbetween the prosecutor and the defence. The extent to which the victim is one ofthe participating parties in plea negotiations however, is a question of law and ofpractice. Drawing from focus groups and surveys with victims of crime, Victimsand Plea Negotiations seeks to privilege victims' voices and lived experiences ofplea negotiations, to present their perspectives on five options for enhancedparticipation in this legal process. This book appeals to academicsand studentsin the areas of law, criminology, sociology, victimology and legal studies, thosewho practice in the criminal justice system generally, those who work withvictims, and policy makers.