Crime Victims Bill of Rights

    As a victim of a violent crime, as the guardian of a victim, or as the close relative of a deceased victim, you have certain rights in the Texas criminal justice system. Among these are:
 

  1.     The right to PROTECTION from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts;
  2.     The right to have your SAFETY, and that of your family, taken into consideration when bail is being considered;
  3.     The right to be INFORMED about court proceedings, including cancellations or rescheduling upon request;
  4.     The right to INFORMATION about procedures in criminal investigations and in the criminal justice system;
  5.     The right to receive INFORMATION about the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund and referral to available social service agencies;
  6.     The right to provide INFORMATION to a probation department conducting a pre-sentence investigation about the impact of the offense upon you and your family;
  7.     The right to have the law enforcement agency that requests a medical examination of a victim of an alleged sexual assault PAY all costs of the examination only;
  8.     The right to be NOTIFIED about parole proceedings, to participate in the parole process, and to be notified of the inmate's release;
  9.     The right to be PRESENT at all public court proceedings related to the offense, if the presiding judge approves;
  10. .    The right to a SAFE waiting area before and during court proceedings;
  11. .    The right to prompt RETURN of any property that is no longer needed as evidence;
  12. .    The right to have the prosecutor NOTIFY your employer that the need for your testimony may involve your absence from work;
  13. .    The right to COMPLETE a Victim Impact Statement, detailing the impact of the offense upon you and your family, and to have that statement considered during sentencing and any parole action;
  14. .    The right to COUNSELING, on request, regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for AIDS and HIV related infections, if the offense is a sexual offense or sexual assault.

NOTE: Article 56 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states: "A judge, attorney for the state, peace officer, or law enforcement agency is not liable for a failure or inability to provide a right enumerated in this article."

 


 

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