Criminal defense attorneys want the right to speak with their clients’ victims and their families.  They’ve filed a class action lawsuit on the grounds of free speech.  

The ACLU of Arizona is challenging the 1990 law protecting crime victims from questioning by criminal defense teams. Voters approved the Victims’ Bill of Rights to shield the innocent from re-victimization.

The ACLU is representing Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice. They say the law restricts free speech, specifically their ability to hear what victims or their family members want in life or death sentencing.

Right now, defense attorneys must direct those questions, or any others, through the prosecutors.

On a larger scope, the ACLU predicts open communication will help the public understand where victims’ families and survivors’ sentiment truly falls on the issue of capital punishment.