Surviving The Criminal Justice System
Often an individual's first encounter with the criminal justice system is when they become the victim of a crime. For most crime victims, navigating through the court system can be a daunting experience. Most victims that are new to the workings of the criminal justice system may become angry and frustrated. You may feel that laws you thought were designed to protect you are really designed to protect criminals. You may wonder if the victim has any rights.
 People naturally want to see justice done swiftly so they can begin to heal from that part of the trauma. But the criminal justice system often seems to prolong people's grief. Justice does not always prevail. Many homicide cases are never solved, even if the identity of the offender is known. Survivors often find that arrests do not always result in prosecution; prosecutions do not always result in convictions, and convictions do not consistently result in stiff sentences. The criminal justice process can be slow, may take years, or even decades if the defendant continues to appeal the court’s decision. Some survivors may find that participating in the criminal justice process is an additional source of stress in their already stressful lives. Others feel positive about their involvement, and with final sentencing, gain a sense of closure. Sometimes, the only ones serving a "life sentence" are the victim’s loved ones.
The best thing you can do is to learn your rights and learn what to expect so you can make informed decisions.
We hope these pages will help you prepare as you seek justice for your loved one.
» Unsolved – How you can play an active role in solving your case.
» Impact on victims of unsolved murder
» What happens after the arrest?
» Unique Stressor -- The Criminal Justice System
» Sequence of Events in a Criminal Prosecution
» Preparing for the trial
» FAQ Victim Impact Statements
» Victim Impact Statement Guide for Survivors
» Restitution Guide for Survivors of Homicide Victims
» Protesting Parole & Clemency
» A Victim’s Guide to Speaking with the Media
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