HI HB1476

Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I of the Hawaii Constitution establishing a new section on rights of victims of crime in criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Grants victims ten specific rights including: fair treatment and dignity, notice of public proceedings, opportunity to be heard, protection from the accused, notice of release or escape, refusal of interviews with the accused, full restitution, prompt case resolution, opportunity to confer with prosecution, and information about these rights.

Permits victims, their attorneys, or the prosecution (upon victim request) to assert and enforce victim rights in trial, appellate, or other jurisdictional courts, which must act promptly on such requests.

Applies to felonies, sexual offenses, and crimes involving death, bodily injury, unwanted contact, unwanted communications, privacy violations, or threats thereof, but excludes non-felony theft crimes.

Defines "victim" as any person against whom a crime was committed by an adult or juvenile, or directly and proximately harmed by the crime, excluding the accused and persons found not acting in the best interests of deceased, incompetent, minor, or incapacitated victims.