Victims' General Rights

To be present at ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS in which the defendant has that right

• If the defendant can be there, so can the victim 

To be present at any hearing in which the defendant in present before a probation/parole hearing officer 

To full participation in all phases of parole hearings/probation revocation hearings 

To confer with the prosecutor regarding bail hearings, guilty pleas, pleadings of insanity, hearings, sentencing, and probation revocation hearings

To be heard at: 

• juvenile probation revocation hearings

• probation revocation and parole hearings initiated by the board of probation and parole 

• release proceedings for persons found not guilty by reason of insanity 

Victims may offer a VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT at any of these proceedings/hearings 

To speedy disposition of cases (180 days)

To speedy appellate review, allowing for the defendant to prepare a defense 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST within 5 working days, to regain/get back property from a prosecutor or law enforcement officer once it is no longer needed for evidence or retention during an appeal 

• Unless it is contraband or subject to forfeiture proceedings

To creditor intercession services by the prosecuting attorney if the victim is unable, as a result of the crime, to temporarily meet financial obligations 

To limited compensation for out-of-pocket loss (counseling costs, lost wages, property damage, etc) and for qualified medical care necessary as result of a crime 

To protection from harmful threats from a defendant or persons acting on behalf of the defendant for activities arising out of cooperation with law enforcement officials

To a secure waiting area during a court proceeding

To fair employment rights 

• Including the right of a victim, witness, or member of a victim's family not to be discharged or disciplined by an employer for honoring a subpeona or for participating in the preparation of a criminal proceeding