This book examines how the modern criminal trial is the result of competing discourses of justice, from human rights to state law and order, that allows for the consideration of key stakeholder interests, specifically those of victims, defendants, police, communities and the state.

Utilizing Foucault's genealogical method, this book traces the history and development of the victim from feudal law, arguing that the historical power of the victim to police, prosecute, and punish offenders significantly informed the development of the modern criminal law and justice system. Leading to the repositioning of the victim into the twenty-first century, this book advocates the victim as an agent of change, presenting a new perspective for the relevance of the victim in today's justice system.

This book examines how the modern criminal trial is the result of competing discourses of justice, from human rights to state law and order, that allows for the consideration of key stakeholder interests, specifically those of victims, defendants, police, communities and the state.

Utilizing Foucault's genealogical method, this book traces the development of the victim from feudal law, arguing that the historical power of the victim to police, prosecute and punish offenders informed the modern criminal law and justice system. This book advocates the victim as an agent of change, a new perspective for today's justice system.