Couple denied right to read victim impact statements

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Wed, 06 Jul 2011 7:00p.m.

Aleks Jovanovic and Noy Paseuth feel their needs were forgotten after being denied the opportunity to read their victim impact statements

Aleks Jovanovic and Noy Paseuth feel their needs were forgotten after being denied the opportunity to read their victim impact statements

By Lachlan Forsyth

A court hearing is almost exclusively between the police, who bring the prosecution, and the offender, with victims having few rights and limited participation in the court process.

One of the rights victims do have is to be able to read their victim impact statement to the court, and to the person who offended against them.

So how would you feel if that one right, your one involvement in the process, was taken away from you?

Campbell Live spoke to Aleks Jovanovic and Noy Paseuth, an Auckland couple who were denied the opportunity to read their victim impact statements after their car was hit by a drunk driver.

Watch the video for the full report

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Comments

07 Jul 2011 07:54p.m.

BNE wrote:

8 months suspension and $40 a week for 50 weeks for the drunk driving plus fleeing the accident scene? unbelievably light punishment. Traffic laws in other countries are getting tougher each year. In Queensland, from July 1, you'll get your licence immediately suspended if found to have BAC 0.10 or higher. It's a miracle that the couple escaped unharmed physically but they'll be emotionally harmed for the rest of their lives.

Think about it! do you really want victims of accidents to be injured or dead before you start thinking about tougher punishment or some preventative measures.

People who have been in accidents as a result of drunk drivers or have been denied their rights such as in this case should come forward and lobby for reforms in road traffic laws. You'll never be heard if you stay silent and more lives may be lost through this careless act

07 Jul 2011 10:54a.m.

Souk wrote:

I totally understand both of you Noy and Aleks. Your basic Human Rights (Right to be heard) was denied!!!

07 Jul 2011 09:16a.m.

Alien wrote:

National changed the law that meant that victims were allowed to read their victim statements un edited, has this not come into law yet?

07 Jul 2011 08:50a.m.

linda wrote:

I understand totally how the couple feel,i was involved in an accident as an inocent driver i was hit head on by a teenager speeding i was not asked to be present to read my statement to the court, victim support have never contacted me, and the other driver in my opinion received a very light punishment and i received serious injuries one of which will affect the rest of my life, my veiw is the victim is pretty much left out and robbed of their rights.