Polling

Crime victims

On average, over 20 million Americans are victims of crime each year. Violent crimes including assault, rape, robbery and murder account for about 25% of all crimes, or about 1.2 million offenses. In addition to the offense itself, the costs to crime victims can be great. These include medical and psychological injuries that may require surgery, rehabilitation and therapy, as well as lost property and wages. The financial cost to society of all crimes has been estimated to be in the trillions of dollars each year. Every state now has a crime victim compensation fund to provide financial assistance to victims and their families, as does our federal government. As of 2020, the balance of our Crime Victims Fund was over $6 billion – financed by federal criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds and other penalties.

Pending Legislation: H.R.5506 - Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims’ Rights Act
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)
Status: House Committee on the Judiciary
Chair: Rep. Jim Jordan (OH)

I oppose reforming current crime victim assistance policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
I support strengthening federal crime victim rights, particularly ensuring victims get timely information about delays and legal proceedings, allowing attorneys to represent them more easily, and increasing transparency by:

1.) Clarifying that victims have the right to confer with the government and be informed prior to any agreement that resolves a case, such as non-prosecution or plea agreements.

2.) Empowering courts to order "just and appropriate" remedies if a victim's rights are violated, which can include the annulment or rescinding of a non-prosecution agreement.

3.) Entitling crime victims who successfully enforce their rights in court to an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.

4.) Requiring the Department of Justice to: Establish a "crime victims' rights card" listing their rights and contact information for the DOJ Office of the Crime Victims' Rights Ombudsman; provide trauma-informed training for employees engaged in criminal investigations and prosecutions; and submit regular reports to Congress on failures to accord victims their rights.

And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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Poll Opening Date

January 12, 2026

Poll Closing Date

January 18, 2026