Acknowledgements 2
Table of contents 3
About the authors 5
List of abbreviations 6
Chapter 1: Victims and plea negotiations: overlooked and unimpressed 7
Abstract 7
Keywords 7
Introduction 7
Plea negotiations and guilty pleas 9
Victim participation 10
Some possible problems with more victim participation 12
Increasing the legal recognition of victims’ rights 13
Public attitudes towards plea negotiations 16
Victims’ views 18
The victims’ study 21
Methodology 21
Focus group scenarios 23
Chapter 2: Informing and consulting victims about plea negotiations 30
Abstract 30
Keywords 30
Introduction 30
Legal provisions – Information 31
Consultation 33
Legal provisions – Consultation 35
Providing reasons for decisions 37
Victims’ views 39
Chapter 3: The opportunity for victims to challenge plea negotiation decisions 46
Abstract 46
Keywords 46
Introduction 46
Complaints about plea negotiation decisions 47
Legal provisions 48
Victims’ views 50
Review of plea negotiation decisions 51
Legal provisions 53
Victims’ views 53
Chapter 4: Judicial involvement in plea negotiations 57
Abstract 57
Keywords 57
Introduction 57
Legal provisions 59
Victims’ views 60
Chapter 5: Victim veto: the power to stop plea negotiations 64
Abstract 64
Keywords 64
Introduction 64
Victims’ views 65
Chapter 6: Victim representation and plea negotiations 68
Abstract 68
Keywords 68
Introduction 68
Legal provisions 70
Victims’ views 70
Chapter 7: Victims and plea negotiations: overlooked, under informed and under involved 74
Abstract 74
Keywords 74
Introduction 74
A trauma-informed, non-adversarial approach 76
Concluding thoughts 78
Appendix 1 80
Appendix 2 85
Index 92