Bush backs constitutional amendment for crime victims

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Saying crime victims are too often ignored in the criminal justice system, President Bush Tuesday endorsed amending the U.S. Constitution to secure them new rights.

The amendment -- drafted by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, and Jon Kyl, R-Arizona -- would guarantee crime victims the right to be notified of any public proceeding regarding the defendant and the right to be heard at hearings, such as ones for sentencing or for potential release of a criminal.

"Our legal system properly protects the rights of the accused in the Constitution, but it does not provide similar protection for the rights of victims and that must change," Bush said during a ceremony at the Justice Department at which victims' advocates were honored.

Bush called the protection of victims' rights "one of those rare instances where amending the Constitution is the right thing to do."

The amendment also calls for courts to consider claims of restitution by crime victims.