GA HB567

Enumerates nine specific rights in Georgia's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights, including the right to timely notice of court proceedings and arrests, the right to be present at all criminal proceedings, the right to be heard at release/plea/sentencing hearings, the right to restitution, and the right to be treated with dignity by criminal justice agencies

Requires victims to be present in the courtroom at all criminal proceedings where the accused has the right to be present, exempting victims from witness sequestration rules, and permitting exclusion only upon a finding of substantial probability that the victim's presence would impair a fair trial

Establishes victims' right to refuse interviews by the accused or the accused's attorney, allows victims who agree to set conditions on such interviews, and prohibits further contact if a victim clearly expresses a desire not to be contacted

Creates a process for victims to block all written, text, and electronic communications from convicted inmates, requiring the Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Justice to develop mail-blocking procedures and impose administrative sanctions on violating inmates

Expands the list of covered crimes to include forgery and fraud offenses (Chapter 9, Title 16), computer crimes, and elder abuse (Code Section 30-5-8); requires judges to make a specific restitution finding in every sentence; and grants victims the right to file complaints with the Judicial Qualifications Commission if a court intentionally fails to comply with victim impact statement requirements