The Rights of Crime Victims

Every crime has a victim who suffers some harm at the hands of the offender -- be it physical, financial, psychological or emotional.

Thanks to the efforts of victim rights groups, crime victims no longer get lost of forgotten in the criminal justice process. Almost every state in the U.S. has passes laws that protect the victims of a crime.

Although the specifics vary from state to state, most victim rights laws provide victims of crime with the following:

• The right to be treated with dignity and compassion.

• The right to protection from intimidation and further harm.

• The right to be informed about the case's progress through the criminal justice system, including notice of a plea bargain.

• The right to receive compensation for damages.

• The right to equal treatment in court.

• The right to have their property returned promptly, if found by the police.

Your local law or social service agency can provide you with a complete list of your rights. Additionally, most states provide services available to crime victims. In most states, these services can:

• Provide emergency assistance immediately following the crime.

• Provide services for victims of sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.

• Provide counseling for witnesses of homicide and friends or relatives of homicide victims.

• Help victims with the retrieval of their property, and compensation for financial losses.

• Inform victims about the progress of court cases and accompany them to court.

• Provide crime prevention information and training.