Victims' Rights

You MUST request these rights

• 1. You have a right to Privacy while in all medical facilities and while seeking medical attention.
• 2. You have a right to petition the court for an Order of Protection.
• 3. You have a right to request the court keep your physical address and personal telephone number confidential.
• 4. You have a right to hire your own attorney during all court proceedings
• 5. You have a right to a notice of all court proceedings.
• 6. You have a right to contact the Prosecutor’s Victims Witness Coordinator.
• 7. You have a right to be present at all hearings where the defendant is present.
• 8. You have a right to responsible protection before, during, and after all court proceedings.
• 9. If available, you have the right to be provided a separate waiting area before, during, and after all court proceedings.
• 10. In criminal proceedings, you have a right to request restitution be sought through the prosecutor’s office.
• 11. You have a right to provide a Victim Impact Statement at the sentencing hearing.
• 12. You have the right to be notified on the status of the alleged or convicted offender.
• 13. You have a right to be provided with an interpreter during all court proceedings.
• 14. If the victim is a minor, incapacitated or deceased, a member of the victim’s family may exercise these rights.

Under the Law Victims May Be Provided These Protections

• Victims may be present at all court proceedings and/or may have a representative appear on their behalf.
• A victim may submit a victim impact statement to the court.
• An employer cannot fire or discipline an employee who participates in criminal proceedings at the prosecutor’s request.
• A victim may request a secure waiting area during court proceedings.
• Upon conviction of the defendant, the victim is entitled to know where he/she is confined, information about their release, furlough, or if they escape, and has the opportunity to testify or submit a written statement to the parole board.
• A victim is entitled to know about any appeals filed.
• A victim may designate a person to serve as moral support during court proceedings and may appear with them in court.

These protections are in addition to those protections found elsewhere in state and federal law. If you feel you are in danger of being victimized again, you should contact your local prosecutor’s victim coordinator to begin the process of fi ling for an order of protection or you can download the form to file for an order of protection at LaurasCard.ar.gov. The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program, administered by the Office of Public Safety. The Crime Victims Reparations Board, provides financial compensation to victims who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of a violent crime. For details and to obtain an application, visit LaurasCard.ar.gov.