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Criminal Law-Victims' Rights-Virginia Adopts Statute To Compensate The Victims Of Crime, Charles W. Hazelwood Jr.

University of Richmond Law Review

Concern for the victims of crime has increased in recent years. The enactment by the Virginia General Assembly of a statute to compensate victims of crime reflected this concern. The General Assembly, "as a matter of moral responsibility," decided to aid victims of crime who suffer disability and financial hardship. Underlying Virginia's passage of a victim compensation statute was the recognition that civil remedies against the criminal offender generally have been unsuccessful.