# Why are relatives speaking at a bond hearing?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 12, 2021, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719 "2021-02-12T02:22:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\
**Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719/1 "2021-02-12T02:22:55Z")

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I was watching the Rittenhouse bond hearing and was surprised to see a couple of the victim’s relatives speaking after the prosecutor. Is it normal for victims to appear in bond hearings?

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719/2 "2021-02-12T02:32:54Z")

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It depends on the state, but many Victim’s Rights laws include the right of the victim or their relatives to speak at bond hearings, sentencing hearings, etc

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**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719/3 "2021-02-13T02:30:38Z")

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Sentencing hearings are totally understandable, but in bond hearings they haven’t even established guilt. It was odd to see the judge and prosecutor talk about statutes and then a victim’s relative chime in with an angry rant at the defendant.

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**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-relatives-speaking-at-a-bond-hearing/932719/4 "2021-02-13T02:50:40Z")

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When my friend stabbed somebody, the relatives of the victim were ranting at the police and the prosecutor before the court had established the law. Perhaps giving the ranters an open court is making it easier for everybody else.