Attorney Grievance Commission v. Smith

McDonald, j.

State law requires that law enforcement authorities provide certain notices to victims and, in the case of a child victim, to the representative of the victim. Among other things, this requirement allows those specially affected by the criminal justice system to know its workings and perhaps participate in them. In particular, it provides an opportunity for the victim, or the victim’s representative, to be heard at critical junctures in the case, such as sentencing, when the victim’s perspective may be significant to the court’s decision. This is an impor*18tant responsibility of a…