Judges would check if crime victims received hearing notice

At plea hearings, the judge must ask the prosecutor whether the victim was notified and wants to share objections. This applies at the hearing where the plea is presented to the court. The victim may express objections orally, in writing, or through the prosecutor. The judge asks during the hearing where the plea is presented.

At sentencing or a disposition hearing, the judge must ask whether the victim received notice, is present, and wants to submit an impact statement. This applies at sentencing and disposition hearings. The victim may give the statement orally or in writing, or ask the prosecutor or the prosecutor's designee to present it. The judge asks at the sentencing or disposition hearing.

Prosecutors must make a reasonable, good faith effort to tell victims about the plea recommendation and hearing, their chance to object, and record-clearing eligibility for offenses in the agreement. This applies to victims in cases with a plea agreement recommendation. If a victim is absent when the court considers the recommendation but has told the prosecutor of objections, the prosecutor must share them with the court. The prosecutor must make the notification effort before the court receives the factual basis for the plea.

A sentence-adjustment petition must give the number of identifiable victims, and records that identify a minor victim in specified cases must be kept from public access. The petition rule applies to prosecutor petitions to adjust a sentence. The privacy rule covers records in listed criminal cases, including sexual performance cases. A court may allow access to information identifying a minor victim. Other information, including the defendant's identity, remains accessible.