In 2004 — nearly 20 years ago — the United States Congress passed Pub. L. No. 108–405, and the President signed into law the Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Known familiarly as the CVRA and codified at 18 U.S.C. § 3771, the law sought to make “victims independent participants in the criminal justice process.” Since the CVRA’s passage, individual states across the country have revisited and revised their own victims‘ rights constitutional and statutory provisions to increase protections for victims. On the surface, there is so much progress for victims’ rights proponents to celebrate. Yet, across the country, victims still face a reality where their independent participation is counter to a legal culture that disfavors or ignores it, violations of victims‘ rights are left unchallenged and unremedied, and courts interpret victims‘ rights without the benefit of victim attorney input. How can we, as a victims’ rights legal community, work to end this reality and build a justice system that honors victims’ rights? We know that increased litigation (trial and appellate) can help create precedent to ensure positive progress and to change the culture both inside and outside the courtroom. But how do we get there when the laws of each jurisdiction are different and when resources are limited? Join us for an afternoon of strategizing to identify a path forward. Using case scenarios and sample law from across the country we will collaboratively identify priorities and craft a plan to advance victims‘ rights through litigation. Come ready to participate!

The Pre-Conference Institute is for attorneys only and will be in-person on May 20,2024. If you intend to attend both the Pre-Conference Institute and the Crime Victim Law Conference, please make sure to purchase both tickets on the Registration Page.

The Pre-Conference Institute is a separate ticket purchase from the Conference and is an in-person event only.

The Pre-Conference Institute is a half day intensive educational event that is held the day prior to the full Conference. This year it is a facilitated roundtable for attorneys that will focus on strategic litigation to advance victims’ rights.