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Crime Victim Justice Unit

VICTIMS AND WITNESSES HAVE RIGHTS

Crime victim rights.
Prosecution process and the right to participate in it.
Contents of any plea agreement.
Changes in court proceeding schedule when a victim has been subpoenaed or requested to testify.
Final disposition of the case.
Appeals filed by the defendant, the right to attend the oral argument or hearing, and the right to be notified of the final disposition.
Proposed sentence modifications for the offender, including the date, time, and location of the review and the right to provide input.
Release or escape of the offender from prison or custodial institution or transfer to a lower security facility.
Offender's petition for expungement.
Right to request restitution.
Right to apply for reparations.
Information on the nearest crime victim assistance program or resource.
Petition to civilly commit an offender, outcome of that petition, and notice of offender’s possible discharge/release from civil commitment.

Right to a secure waiting area during court proceedings.
Right to request that home and employment address, telephone number, and birth date be withheld in open court.
Right to request that law enforcement agency withhold identity from the public.
Protection against employer retaliation for victims and witnesses called to testify and for victims of violent crimes and their family members who take reasonable time off to attend court proceedings.
Tampering with a witness is a crime and should be reported.

Right to request a speedy trial.
Right to provide input in a pretrial diversion decision.
Right to object orally or in writing to a plea agreement at the plea presentation hearing.
Right to object orally or in writing to a proposed disposition or sentence.
Right to inform court of impact of crime orally or in writing at the sentencing hearing.
Right to inform court at the sentencing hearing of social and economic impact of crime on persons and businesses in the community.
Right to be present at the sentencing and plea presentation hearings.
Right to submit statement regarding decision to discharge/release offender from civil commitment.

Victims of violent crime may apply for financial assistance (reparations) from the state if they have suffered economic loss as a result of the crime.
Victims may request the court to order the defendant to pay restitution if the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty.
Victims may request that a probation violation hearing be scheduled 60 days prior to the expiration of probation if restitution has not been paid.

Right to be informed of prosecutor’s decision to decline prosecution or dismiss case along with information about seeking a protective or harassment order at no fee.
Protection against employer retaliation for victims to take reasonable time off to attend order for protection or harassment restraining order proceedings.
Domestic abuse victims have ability to terminate lease without penalty.
Sexual assault victims can make confidential request for HIV testing of offender.
Sexual assault victims do not have to pay the cost of a sexual assault examination.
Sexual assault victims may not be required to undergo a polygraph examination in order for an investigation or prosecution to proceed.