During the course of a criminal case, victims often go unrepresented. In many instances, this lack of representation suits all parties: The victim is able to have a limited role in the case, and the government is free to make its case with unrestrained access to the victim without input from the victim’s advocate. In certain cases, however, providing legal representation can empower the victim and give him or her a voice in proceedings that are otherwise constitutionally focused on the rights of the accused.
Originally published in Law360 - September 28, 2016.
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