In recent years, legislation has been passed into law recognizing the rights of crime victims in criminal proceedings. For example, the Crime Victims' Rights Act of 2004 reverses the view that victims do not matter in the criminal process. These rights are defined in 18 U.S.C. 3771.

• What is the impact of the crime victims' rights legislation on the criminal justice system?
• What legislature or process changes would you suggest to further assist victims during criminal proceedings? How would these changes be advantageous?
• In your view, which of the listed rights within the 18 U.S.C. 3771 do you think is most important? Explain your answer.
• How might federal crime victims' rights protect a victim of terrorism when the perpetrators have been arrested and charged? Consider that the terrorists can be either transnational or domestic.
• If you were counseling a victim of terrorism, how would you explain their rights and the process they must participate in throughout criminal proceedings?