President Clinton announced his support today for a constitutional amendment to protect the rights of crime victims. A spokesman says Mr. Clinton is not endorsing any specific proposal, but the general idea of such an amendment. The probable Republican presidential nominee, Bob Dole, already has come out in favor of a victims' rights amendment. The version Dole is supporting would make sure crime victims are notified of court proceedings, given the chance to be heard on plea bargains and sentencing, and informed if the offender escapes or is released from jail. NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports.
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