Victims' General Rights

To be present at ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS if the defendant has the same right

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

To confer and be informed by prosecutor (talk with) regarding bail/bond/detention hearings, guilty pleas, hearings, sentencing, and probation revocation hearings

To be heard at: 

• juvenile proceedings

• probation revocation and parole hearings initiated by the MO Department of Probation and Parole  

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

• • To receive additional direction, please contact your local prosecutors office. 

To speedy disposition of cases 

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

• • • For more info please visit ago.mo.gov

Restitution is defined as payment made by a defendant to a victim as to repay monetary losses that occurred as a result of the crime

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST within 5 working days, to 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 cooperation with law enforcement officials

Protection of personal identifying information

Confidential address

• MO Safe at Home Program

Orders of Protection - must file with civil court

No contact by defendant - ordered within bond setting (best for the victim to be present for this)

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 (MO VESSA)