77-37-1 - Legislative intent.
77-37-1. Legislative intent.
(1) The Legislature recognizes the duty of victims and witnesses of crime to fully andvoluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, the essential nature ofcitizen cooperation to state and local law enforcement efforts, and the general effectiveness andwell-being of the criminal justice system of this state. In this chapter, the Legislature declares itsintent to ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy,and sensitivity, and that the rights extended in this chapter to victims and witnesses of crime arehonored and protected by law in a manner no less vigorous than protections afforded criminaldefendants.
(2) The Legislature finds it is necessary to provide child victims and child witnesses withadditional consideration and different treatment than that usually afforded to adults. Thetreatment should ensure that children's participation in the criminal justice process be conducted inthe most effective and least traumatic, intrusive, or intimidating manner.
Enacted by Chapter 194, 1987 General Session