Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
The largest crime bill in U.S. history, the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (VCCLEA), provided for 100,000 new police officers, $9.7 billion in funding for prisons, and $6.1 billion in funding for prevention programs designed with significant input from experienced police officers. Included in the bill was an assault weapons ban, expansion of the federal death penalty, and it defined new crime statutes, including immigration law, hate crimes, sex crimes, and gang- related crime, all coming from the spike in U.S. crime. In addition, the provision for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was included to help prevent and investigate violence against women. The VAWA included sections to increase penalties for repeat sex offenders (The Safe Streets for Women Act), added rape shield laws, and increased money for domestic violence programs (The Safe Homes for Women Act). Although the protections of victims included in the law were significant—moving victims’ rights and help for victims forward—the bill ended up increasing both state and federal prison populations, especially through the three strikes provisions. The bill was signed by President Clinton, who has since expressed regret over the effect it had, particularly on incarcerating minorities.
President Clinton signed some of the most sweeping criminal justice legislation in U.S. history. Significant parts of that concerned the rights of victims. Image: Clinton signs the assault weapons ban. Authored by: U.S. Government Printing Office. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clinton_signing_AWB.jpg License: CC-0
1997 Victims’ Rights Clarification Act
This act ensures that victims are not excluded from a trial. Specifically, it states that victims must be included during the sentencing hearing and allowed to make a victim’s impact statement, and that victims have a right to attend the trial.