What does the right to know likely release date provide to victims?

What does the right to know likely release date provide to victims?

• A. Only the judge and the offender know
• B. Length of sentence known and whether the offender may be released; available to victims on the victim register
• C. Release date is published publicly for all
• D. This right applies to defense counsel only

Answer: (B)

The idea behind this right is to give victims information about the offender’s potential release from custody. Specifically, it means victims can know how long the sentence is likely to last and whether the offender may be released (for example, on parole). This information is provided to victims through the Victims’ Register, so they can be informed and prepared, and, if they wish, participate in related proceedings or parole processes. This is not something kept secret to just the judge and the offender, nor is it publicly published for everyone, and it isn’t limited to defense counsel.

The idea behind this right is to give victims information about the offender’s potential release from custody. Specifically, it means victims can know how long the sentence is likely to last and whether the offender may be released (for example, on parole). This information is provided to victims through the Victims’ Register, so they can be informed and prepared, and, if they wish, participate in related proceedings or parole processes.

This is not something kept secret to just the judge and the offender, nor is it publicly published for everyone, and it isn’t limited to defense counsel.