A bill to provide compensation for the victims of crime, assistance to witnesses in criminal cases, and an increase in witness fees.
Federal Criminal Victims and Witnesses Assistance Act - Title I: Victim Compensation - Establishes in the Department of Justice a Victim Compensation Commission to administer a program providing compensatory payments to victims of qualifying Federal crimes, intervenors, and surviving dependents.
Sets a ceiling of $50,000 on the payment to any victim as the result of a single incident.
Requires that the act giving rise to the claim occur within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Indian lands.
Enumerates qualifying crimes, including any crime or attempted crime which poses a substantial threat of personal injury.
Requires the appropriate law enforcement agencies to ensure that victims of crimes are informed of their rights.
Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make grants and provide technical assistance to States for victim compensation programs.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title through FY 1986. Terminates the Victim Compensation Commission and the State programs after FY 1986.
Title II: Witness Assistance - Establishes in each U.S. Attorney's office a witnesses of crime assistance bureau to create and administer witness assistance programs that encourage and enable witnesses to testify in Federal criminal cases.
Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make grants and provide technical assistance to States for witness assistance programs.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title through FY 1986.
Title III: Witness Fees - Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make grants to States for the costs of compensating witnesses of crimes at the levels provided by law for the compensation of witnesses in Federal cases.
Authorizes appropriations.
Became Public Law No: 98-473.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Justice.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
See H.J.Res.648.
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