Crime Victim Rights

Crime victims have the right to be notified of:

• Content of any plea agreements;
• Changes in the schedule of court proceedings, including the date, time and place of sentencing;
• Final disposition of the case;
• Any pending appeals by the defendant, including the right to attend the oral argument or hearing;
• Sentence modifications for the offender, including the date, time and location of the review;
• Release, transfer, or escape of the offender from prison or custodial institution; and
• Filing of a civil commitment petition and its outcome.

Crime victims have the right to participate in the prosecution:

• Right to inform court of impact of crime at sentencing hearing;
• Right to inform court of social and economic impacts of crime on persons and businesses operating in the community at the sentencing hearing;
• Right to have input in a pre-trial diversion program decision;
• Right to request a speedy trial;
• Right to bring a supportive person to the pre-trial hearing; 
• Right to object to a plea agreement;
• Right to attend the plea and sentencing hearings;
• Right to request a probation review hearing; and
• Right to be notified (if victim of domestic assault, sexual assault, or stalking) if decision is made not to prosecute or if the charges are dismissed.

Crime victims have the right to protection from harm:

• Tampering with a witness is a crime in Minnesota.
• Victims/witnesses do not have to give their addresses in open court.
• Victims/witnesses have the right to a secure waiting area during court.
• Employers may not discipline or dismiss victims or witnesses who are called to testify in court.
• Victims/witnesses have the right to request law enforcement to withhold their identity from the public.

Crime victims have the right to apply for financial assistance:

• Victims may be eligible for financial assistance from the State if they have suffered economic loss as a result of violent crime.
• Victims can request the court to order the defendant to pay restitution for out-of-pocket losses resulting from the crime.

For more information on Crime Victim Rights, the Office of Justice Programs at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers a printable brochure.