Your Legal Rights as a Victim

You have the right to:

• Be notified of the prosecution of the case, the prosecution process, and all of your rights.
• Apply for reparations (financial compensation) for non-property losses related to a violent crime.
• Be notified of a proposed pretrial diversion referral for certain violent crimes and provide input.
• Be notified of a change in the hearing schedule if subpoenaed or asked to testify.
• Request restitution from the offender if there is a conviction.
• Be notified of the contents of a proposed plea agreement.
• Ask the prosecutor to request a speedy trial.
• Be notified of and attend the plea and sentencing hearings.
• Be present at court proceedings when the offender is a juvenile.
• Object to a proposed plea agreement at the plea hearing in writing or orally.
• If a presentence investigation is conducted, provide information about the impact of the crime and your position about the proposed disposition.
• Give a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing in writing or orally.
• If a community member, give a community impact statement at the sentencing hearing.
• Being able to be notified of a bail hearing in cases of violent crime and domestic abuse.
• Safely and securely waiting in an area before court hearings by providing safeguards against the offender and their supporters in the courthouse.
• Report witness tampering and violations of criminal no contact or civil protective orders.
• Asking for your home and employment addresses, telephone numbers, and birthdate to be withheld from the offender and in open court.
• Protection against employer retaliation for you or your family member(s) for taking reasonable time off to attend hearings or to testify in cases of violent crime.
• In homicide cases, to request a court order preventing an offender from disposing of the deceased victim’s property. Laws also prevent the offender from financially benefitting from the crime.

• Being able to be notified of a bail hearing in cases of violent crime and domestic abuse.
• Safely and securely waiting in an area before court hearings by providing safeguards against the offender and their supporters in the courthouse.
• Report witness tampering and violations of criminal no contact or civil protective orders.
• Asking for your home and employment addresses, telephone numbers, and birthdate to be withheld from the offender and in open court.
• Protection against employer retaliation for you or your family member(s) for taking reasonable time off to attend hearings or to testify in cases of violent crime.
• In homicide cases, to request a court order preventing an offender from disposing of the deceased victim’s property. Laws also prevent the offender from financially benefitting from the crime.