Pa. Lawmaker Urging Passage of Bill Giving Crime Victims Right To Watch Their Court Case
By David Madden
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A bill now in the Pennsylvania State Senate would allow crime victims to be in the courtroom while their case is being heard, and proponents are vowing quick action on this proposed change to state law.
Forty-two states and the federal government make it a priority for crime victims not to be forced to wait outside while their alleged attacker has their day in court.
Pennsylvania legislators passed a similar plan in the House last year.
Now, state senator Tom McGarrigle (R-Delaware County, below) promises to move the senate version quickly out of the Judiciary Committee for a full vote.
"The aim is to ensure that when the case goes to trial, the victim, at his or her choosing, has a seat in the courtroom the entire trial," he said today.
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Currently, victims are kept out of court after testifying in case they are needed to counter a defense claim.
McGarrigle expects governor Tom Wolf would sign the bill and it would become law before the end of the year.