IF YOU FEEL YOUR RIGHTS HAVE NOT BEEN OBSERVED

§   Contact the person you feel has not honored your rights and explain specifically what has not been done.

§   Seek assistance from your victim advocate or other supportive persons such as a counselor.

§   Seek assistance from the elected official or head of the agency.

If all efforts have failed you may request assistance from the Governor's Victim's Coordinating Committee by contacting the Division of Criminal Justice at 700 Kipling St., Ste. 1000, Denver, CO 80215 or by calling 303-239-4442

VICTIM SERVICES
Any person who is a victim of a criminal act, or such person’s designee, legal guardian, or surviving immediate family member if such person is deceased, shall have the right to be heard when relevant, informed of and present at all critical stages of the criminal justice process.

Under 24-4.1-302 of the Colorado Constitution, victims of the following crimes are guaranteed rights:

*Murder/Homicide                        *Manslaughter                 *Menacing

*Criminally Negligent Homicide     *Vehicular Assault            *Assault

  & Vehicular Homicide                 *Domestic Violence          *Kidnapping

*Careless driving resulting in         *Sexual Assault                *Robbery

  the death of another                  *Child Abuse                    *Incest

*Ethnic Intimidation                      *Indecent Exposure          *Stalking

*Sexual Exploitation of a Child       *Tampering w/a victim

*Crimes Against At-Risk Adults,        or witness

  Juveniles, Elderly or                   *Retaliation against a victim or witness

  Handicapped                              *Intimidation of a victim or witness

                          *Violation of criminal protection order issued against a person charged with sexual assault.

If you are the victim of any one of the crimes listed above, you have the right to be informed and to participate in all critical stages of the criminal justice process related to that crime.  If the victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights may be exercised by the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, significant other, or other lawful representative.

VICTIM COMPENSATION

AS A VICTIM OF THOSE CRIMES LISTED YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

§  Treatment with fairness, respect and dignity.

§  Crisis Intervention and Support.

§  Information on the status of the case prior to the filing of charges.

§  Information regarding final decisions not to file charges.

§  Notification of any change in the status of the accused, including being taken in to custody or release from custody. (you must provide accurate contact information)

§  Input into decisions regarding plea agreements and to be present or have input in sentencing hearings.

§  Information regarding restitution or civil remedies.

§  Timely notification of all court dates.

§  Provided a secure waiting area, when available.

§  Release of property after the case is settled and the property is no longer needed as evidence.

§  To be provided with employment intercession.

§  Notification of case disposition, to include appeals

§  Information on community resources and other information that will assist in recovery.

§  Information regarding availability of financial assistance.

§  To prevent any party at any court proceeding from compelling testimony about a victim’s locating information, unless the victim consents or the court orders disclosure.

§  Informed of and heard at any bond or sentencing reconsideration or commutation of sentence.

§  Provide victims of cold cases with information concerning change in the status of the case.

§  Upon written request, provide victims of cold cases in which the statute of limitations is longer than 3 years, an annual update regarding the status of the case.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

Referral to public and/or private organizations/individuals providing:

Ø  Medical and Emergency Services, Mental Health and Human Services.

Ø  Financial Assistance information including Victim Compensation, Translation Services, Legal and Rehabilitative Services.

Ø  Information or assistance with protection orders

Ø  Intervention with Employers, Creditors or Landlords

Ø  Information about obtaining Public Records, including Police Reports, and obtaining property that belongs to you after a case is complete.

Victim’s Responsibilities:

§  Keep appropriate Law Enforcement or Victim Services personnel informed of name, contact information, phone numbers of person who should be provided information, and ANY changes to that information.

§  Provide a written request regarding information about notification of the post-sentence process.

§  Always contact the law enforcement agency handling the case with follow up information.