Crime Victim and Witness Rights

As a victim or witness of crime, you have certain rights under Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act. Some of the rights you may be entitled to are:

Protection

• The right to be advised of available levels of protection, including protective orders.
• Separate courthouse waiting areas, where available, to provide privacy and protection from intimidation.

Financial Assistance

• The right to request restitution from the offender.
• Assistance from CICF to pay unreimbursed expenses, including medical expenses, lost wages, counseling fees or funeral expenses, of victims who suffer personal physical injury or death as a result of a crime.
• Assistance in obtaining property being held by police as evidence.

Notifications

• The right to advance notification of court dates.
• The right to be notified of the release, transfer or escape of an inmate from prison.
• Employer intercession services when you need to be in court.

Victim Input

• The right to submit a written Victim Impact Statement to the Circuit Court for its consideration in sentencing, or to testify orally regarding the impact of the crime.
• The right to remain in the courtroom during all proceedings, unless excluded by the Court as a material witness.
• The right to be consulted about a proposed plea agreement in felony cases.

Courtroom Assistance

• The possibility of a closed preliminary hearing in certain sexual assault cases.
• The right to request confidentiality of your address and phone number.
• The right to services of an interpreter, if needed.

Post Trial Assistance

The right to be notified of the disposition of the case, appeal information and contact information in the event defendant does not pay restitution as ordered.