Constitutional FAQ Answer #27

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This is part three of a three-part question pertaining to the “Nanny
Trial” in Fall, 1997.

Q27. “And also, what rights do Deborah and Sunil
Eappen have as relatives of the victim? Could they sue Judge Zobel on
constitutional grounds?”

A. None. Victims have no constitutional rights, as victims. It is, perhaps,
sad to say, but there it is. This was, however, a state trial, and they may
have certain rights as victims in Massachusetts. I haven’t ever heard, though,
of a judge ever being sued by anyone involved in a criminal case because of a
particular decision in that case. Unless there are some specific grounds in a
specific state, I don’t even know what kind of grounds one would have to sue a
judge because of a decision or ruling in a court case.

Last Modified: 16 Aug 2010

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