For Victims

If you are the victim of a crime or if you witness a crime, you have the following rights:

To be informed of local victim treatment programs.
To be informed, present and heard at all crucial stages of the criminal or juvenile justice proceedings and to be told how to participate in these proceedings.
To be informed about the availability of Victim Compensation.
To be protected from intimidation.
To submit a victim impact statement.
To seek restitution from the offender.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

AS A CRIME VICTIM/WITNESS
YOU HAVE RIGHTS

Interference with a victim/witness by threats or acts of revenge is a serious crime in itself and a matter to which the local police agency, the State Attorney's Office, and the Court will give particular attention and do their utmost to remedy. If you are having any problems or if you or your family are in any way threatened immediately call the police agency or the Sheriff's Office and make a full report of the events.

Sometimes after a suspect is arrested, defense attorneys or their investigators may attempt to contact you. You have a right to speak to anyone, unless a Court orders you not to discuss it. However, you are not obligated to discuss the case at all, unless you have received a subpoena for a deposition or a trial. You have a right to privacy and to be left alone. If anyone harasses or intimidate you, please advise law enforcement personnel immediately.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
ARTICLE 1, SECTION 16(B) - VICTIM RIGHTS

If you are the victim of a crime, you have the RIGHT to:

Be treated with dignity and compassion.
Be protected from intimidation and harm.
Be informed about the availability of Crime Compensation and other victim services.
Be informed about the criminal justice process.
Submit a Victim Impact Statement (if you so desire).
Have your property returned as quickly as possible.
Seek restitution for loss of property and income, and seek reimbursement for medical expenses incurred as a result of the offense.
Have restitution orders diligently and fairly enforced.
If you are a surviving family member of a victim whose death occurred as a result of a crime, you have all the same rights as listed above.

If you are the victim of a crime and need assistance the following agencies are available to help you:

Victims of crime or their lawful representatives, including the next of kin of homicide victims, are entitled to the right to be informed, to be present, and to be heard when relevant, at all crucial stages of criminal proceedings, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

All victims have the right to a prompt and timely disposition of the case in order to minimize the period in which the victim must endure the responsibilities and stress involved to the extent that this right does not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

Incarcerated victims have the right to be informed and to submit written statements at all crucial stages of the criminal proceedings and parole hearings.

The victim of felony involving physical or emotional injury or trauma, or in the case in which the victim is a minor or in a homicide, the guardian or family of the victim shall be consulted by the state attorney in order to obtain the views of the victim or family about the disposition or any criminal or juvenile case brought as a result of such crime, including the views of the victim or family about:

The release of the accused pending judicial proceedings;
Plea agreements;
Participation in the pretrial diversion programs; and
Sentencing of the accused.

In any case where an offender escapes from a state correctional institution, county jail, juvenile detention facility, or involuntary commitment facility, immediate notification shall be made by the institution of confinement to the state attorney of the jurisdiction where the criminal charge or petition for delinquency arose.

The state attorney shall there upon make every effort to notify the victim, material witness, parents or legal guardian of a minor who is a victim or witness, or immediate relatives of a homicide victim of the escapee. The state attorney shall also notify the sheriff of the county where the criminal charge or petition for delinquency arose. The sheriff shall offer assistance upon request.

The Witness/Victim program uses specially trained PBSO employees with a social work background and education to assist victims and witnesses of crimes investigated by PBSO. Duties include contacting victims and witnesses to inform them of the pending release of offenders, counseling victims and witnesses, and helping them work with the criminal justice system to give needed testimony, and to refer them to services offered by various county and state programs. Examples might be court ordered restitution, victim compensation, or domestic violence counseling.

THE LAW

VICTIM/WITNESS HARASSMENT

INCARCERATED VICTIMS

TIMELY DISPOSITION OF CASE

CONSULTATION

ESCAPE

VICTIM/WITNESS PROGRAM

Each victim or witness who has been scheduled to attend a criminal or juvenile justice proceeding shall be notified as soon as possible by the agency scheduling his appearance of any change in scheduling which will affect his appearance.

Victims or the victim's relative has the right to advanced notification of judicial proceedings and the right to be present at the proceeding.

Any victim, relative of a minor who is a victim, or relative of a homicide victim shall receive from the appropriate agency, at the address found in the police report or the victim notification card, if such has been provided to the agency, prompt advance notification, unless the agency itself does not have advance notification of judicial and post judicial proceedings relating to his case, including all proceedings or hearings relating to:

The arrest of an accused;
The release of the accused pending judicial proceedings or any modification of release conditions; and
Proceedings in the prosecution or petition of deliquency of the accused, including the filing of the accusatory instrument, the arraignment, disposition of the accusatory instrument, trial or adjudicatory hearing, sentencing or disposition hearing, appellate review, subsequent modification of sentence, collateral attack of a judgment, and, when a term of imprisonment, detention, or involuntary commitment is imposed, the release of the defendant or juvenile offender from such imprisonment, detention, or commitment by expiration of sentence or parole and any meeting held to consider such release.

At the request of the victim, the victim advocate designated by the state attorney's office, sheriff's office, or municipal police department, or one representative from a not-for-profit victim services organization, including, but not limited to, rape crises centers, domestic violence advocacy groups, and alcohol abuse or substance abuse groups shall be permitted to attend and be present during any deposition of the victims.

VICTIM ADVOCATE

RIGHT TO BE PRESENT

NOTIFICATION OF SCHEDULING CHANGES