Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims’ Rights Act

Bill Number: H.R. 5506
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Updated: 2026-05-14T08:07:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act" aims to enhance and enforce the legal rights of victims in federal and District of Columbia criminal cases. It builds on existing laws by providing stronger mechanisms for victims to be informed, consulted, and represented throughout investigations and prosecutions, ensuring their voices are heard without unduly interfering with legal processes.

Key Provisions

Expanded Victim Rights (Section 3771(a)):
Rights begin upon suspicion or allegation of a federal or D.C. offense.
Victims have the right to confer with the government on any case-resolving agreements, such as plea bargains, pretrial diversions, or dismissals.
Timely notification of plea deals, deferred prosecutions, diversions, or referrals to other law enforcement entities.
Provision of a "crime victims' rights card" detailing rights, contact information for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Crime Victims' Rights Ombudsman, and sources for free (pro bono) legal help, including the right to consult an attorney.

Government and Court Responsibilities (Section 3771(b)-(c)):
Courts must confirm the government's compliance with victim rights and can issue orders to fix any failures.
DOJ and other federal agencies must use their best efforts to notify victims and provide rights; they must inform victims in writing about seeking attorney advice.
Limited delays in providing rights are allowed (up to 90 days, extendable for good cause) if it protects safety, investigations, national security, or nonpublic information—but only with court approval based on clear and convincing evidence. Records of delays must be shared with victims afterward.
Government must provide general information on pro bono legal representation for victims.

Enforcement and Remedies (Section 3771(d)):
Victims or their representatives (e.g., family for minors or incapacitated persons) can assert rights in court; defendants cannot challenge on these grounds.
Victims' attorneys can fully participate in proceedings, receive case documents, and access records.
Motions to enforce rights must be decided quickly; denials require written explanations.
Appeals via writ of mandamus (a court order compelling action) to the court of appeals within 72 hours.
Limited reopening of pleas or sentences only under strict conditions (e.g., if notice was timely or not, and the defendant didn't get the maximum penalty).
Victims can move to annul deferred or nonprosecution agreements if their conferral right was violated, leading to a hearing.
Courts can order remedies like reopening proceedings, but these must not violate defendants' rights or harm other victims/public interests; prevailing victims get reasonable attorneys' fees.
No new trials solely for rights violations.

Definitions and Procedures (Section 3771(e)-(f)):
Broadens "crime victim" to include those harmed by suspected/alleged offenses.
Adds terms like "crime victim's lawful representative," "timely" (enough time to act), and "suspected or alleged" (ongoing investigations without charges).
DOJ must designate an independent Administrative Authority (under the Inspector General) to handle complaints about rights violations by prosecutors.
Requires trauma-informed training for DOJ staff on victim treatment.
Complaints can be filed up to 180 days after final judgment; the Authority investigates, logs cases, decides within 180 days, and can impose fines or reimburse costs. Appeals go to the Inspector General, with notifications to Congress if overturned.

General Provisions (New Section 3772):
Attorney General must issue rules to implement the chapter.
DOJ submits reports to Congress on complaints, outcomes, training, and failures to accord rights—initially annual, then biannual—covering data by district and prosecutors.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends the Crime Victims' Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) to start rights earlier (at suspicion/allegation stage) and expand notifications to include diversions and referrals.
Introduces court oversight for government compliance, delay procedures with evidence requirements, and victim attorney participation (previously more limited).
Adds new enforcement tools: annulment motions for agreements, administrative complaint system with fines/costs, and mandatory reporting to Congress (no prior equivalent).
Limits reopening of cases more precisely while allowing it in narrow scenarios; explicitly protects prosecutorial discretion.
Expands definitions and adds a new section (3772) for oversight and rulemaking.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Increases workload for DOJ (e.g., notifications, training, complaint handling, reporting) and courts (e.g., quick reviews, mandamus petitions), potentially requiring more resources but improving accountability and victim support.
On Citizens: Empowers crime victims with better access to information, representation, and remedies, reducing feelings of exclusion; may encourage more victim participation in cases but could prolong some proceedings.
On International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses on domestic federal and D.C. offenses.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Crime Victims and Representatives: Primary beneficiaries, gaining stronger enforcement and support.
Department of Justice and Federal Prosecutors: Face new obligations, complaint risks, and fines, with required training and reporting.
Federal Courts: Handle more motions, appeals, and oversight, including quick decisions and record-keeping.
Congress: Receives detailed reports for oversight of DOJ performance.
Defendants and Defense Attorneys: Indirectly affected by potential delays or reopenings, though protections limit impacts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens statutory victims' rights (not constitutional, but treated with high importance) by adding enforceable remedies and independent oversight, potentially increasing litigation but with safeguards against abuse (e.g., no new trials, evidence thresholds for delays). Balances victim input with prosecutorial discretion explicitly.
Constitutional: Remedies must not infringe defendants' rights (e.g., due process, speedy trial), ensuring compliance with the Constitution; expands access to justice for victims without creating new entitlements.
Political: Promotes bipartisan victim advocacy (introduced by Democrats and Republicans); enhances transparency via congressional reports, which could lead to further reforms or scrutiny of DOJ practices, but may spark debates on resource allocation and case efficiency.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

Recent Actions

2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-09-18: Introduced in House
2025-09-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims’ Rights Act — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (22 pages)