Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982

Omnibus Victims Protection Act of 1982 - Title I: Victims Impact Statement - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense. Title II: Protection of Victims and Witnesses from Intimidation - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Title III: Restitution - Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution for any offense. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress laws necessary to compensate victims of crimes where restitution is not possible. Title IV: Federal Accountability for Escape or Release of a Federal Prisoner - Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are…

Congressional Research Service · 1982-04-22