Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Northern Illinois University Law Review Supplement

Abstract

Within the past few years, Illinois has gone through a bail reform that has changed how a defendant’s pretrial custody status is determined. This reform has negatively impacted victims, resulting in more safety risks, judicial interpretation, and a decrease in resources. These issues are emerging as practitioners work with victims constantly and information becomes more available to the public. This Article, based in part on interviews with attorneys and victims’ services advocates, proposes remedies that legislators and counties can adopt to help balance the rights of defendants and victims. Some of these remedies include modifying the legislation, adopting different procedures, and providing more resources for victims. Bringing to light the areas of the SAFE-T Act that can be improved upon will help ensure victims’ safety along with making sure defendants’ legitimate interests are not violated. Creating a better balance now could curb any extreme effects of the law, such as higher repeat victimization, from occurring in the future.

First Page

1

Last Page

28

Publication Date

5-1-2026

Department

College of Law

Department

College of Law

ISSN

0734-1490

Original Citation

Brianna Reed, Note, Are They Really Safe? The Impact of the SAFE-T Act on Victims of Crimes, 16 N. Ill. Univ. L Rev. Supp. 1 (2026).

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