Crime Victims’ Rights (Policy Statement)

In any case involving the sentencing of a defendant for an offense against a crime victim, the court shall ensure that the crime victim is afforded the rights described in 18 U.S.C. § 3771 and in any other provision of federal law pertaining to the treatment of crime victims. Commentary Application Note: 1. Definition.—For purposes of this policy statement, “crime victim” has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 3771(e). Historical Note Effective November 1, 2006 (amendment 694). Amended effective November 1, 2024 (amendment 831). PART B ― PLEA AGREEMENTS Introductory Commentary Policy statements governing the acceptance of plea agreements under Rule 11(c), Fed. R. Crim. P., are intended to ensure that plea negotiation practices: (1) promote the statutory purposes of sentencing prescribed in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a); and (2) do not perpetuate unwarranted sentencing disparity. These policy statements make clear that sentencing is a judicial function and that the appropriate sentence in a guilty plea case is to be determined by the judge. Historical Note Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 2004 (amendment 674); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).