When I began my career as a prosecutor, you rarely, if ever heard the phrase, "victims’ rights." Like many other areas of our laws, traumatic, personal stories were necessary to bring about change. Several victims of violent crimes, who suffered horrific injury, dedicated themselves to education of the public and lawmakers as to the lot of the crime victim. These brave women and men openly discussed their experiences and their perceptions. They seemed to speak for victims everywhere. Legislators, and voters listened.

On January 3, 1989, Florida became the first state in the union to include the rights of crime victims in the state constitution. Article 1, Section 16(b) states:

Victims of crime or their lawful representatives, including the next of kin of homicide victims, are entitled to the right to be informed, to be present, and to be heard when relevant, at all crucial stages of criminal proceedings, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

Just a few weeks ago, in our circuit court, we saw a great example of these rights in action. After the penalty phase of the trial of the man who murdered Sgt. Kevin Kight; Kevin’s family was given the opportunity to address the court; to tell the judge about the impact of their loss and the impact of the loss to the community. Kevin Kight’s family spoke freely and with the assurance that their words would be duly considered.

We have made progress in the area of victim’s rights. But not enough. We must do better.

This dinner table, dedicated to deceased victims–and their loved ones–brings attention to the plight of the victim. And to the fact that there are always others left behind. There are 15 places at this table. Thirteen with faces and one representing the child victims and another representing the rest of the homicide victims in our circuit. Sadly, a table with places for each homicide victim would take up much more room than we are allowed here.

Each person memorialized here is remembered by a mother, or a father, brother, sister, child, grandparent, uncle or aunt, friends, co-workers. The loss of each one of these people left a hole in our community. And we must never forget a single one of these.

This is National Victims of Crime Week. This table is just one way to bring attention to the plight of victims. We must get our communities to buy into the concept that justice without righting the wrongs done to victims is no justice at all. The combination of case-by-case attention and public demand for the protection of victims is the only way to see real progress.

The criminal justice system does not always move swiftly and does not always provide satisfaction. I’m sure that Sheriff McKeithen will agree that we wish that we could do better. And we are working to improve the delivery of victims’ services. I am very proud of the work of our victim advocates at the State Attorney’s Office. They are often the unsung heroes of a successful prosecution. They continually put their hearts and souls into work with the victims and their families.

Still, at times, the victim may feel that he is the only one who cares about his case. The 25 million Americans who yearly find themselves in the roll-call of crime victims know that true justice is not served without addressing their needs.

The people who are participating in the empty place at the table have given of themselves, have let the world in on their pain and their losses. Why? To make us think. To make us acknowledge that it is the victim–not the criminal– who drives our system of justice. To make us do right.

Thank you to all of you who are participating. God bless you.