Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, June 10, 2011

Delaware Bill Would Hide Names of Victims, Witnesses

Legislation that would allow the names of crime victims and witnesses to be replaced with pseudonyms in police and court records ran into opposition Wednesday amid concern that it would unduly restrict the public's right to know.

"Is this a case where rich, powerful people could avoid having their name [made public]?" Sen. Liane Sorenson, R-Hockessin, asked during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Senate Bill 99.

John E. Murphy, executive director of the Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association, of which The News Journal is a member, said that without public access to victim and witness information, "basic public accountability would be lost."

READ MORE …

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Delaware is one of the greatest states when it comes to protecting victims. Kudos.

Anonymous said...

The comment about the rich is stupid. It's to hide the names of the INNOCENT victims, not the crooks. If a person has money, does that mean as a victim they don't get any privacy or compassion?

Just stupid!