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Victim Notification System

Victim Rights

Federal crime victims* have the following rights, as set forth in the Crime Victims' Rights Act.
  1. The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.
  2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.
  3. The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.
  4. The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
  5. The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
  6. The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.
  7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
  8. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
We will make our best efforts to ensure you are accorded the rights described.
You can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to these rights, Section 3771(c)(2).

* According to the act, a victim is " a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of a Federal offense or an offense in the District o Columbia. In the case of a crime victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardians of the crime victim or representatives of the crime victim's estate, family members, or any other persons appointed suitable by the court, may assume the crime victim's right under this chapter, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such guardian or representative."
 
For further information please visit the website of the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime at http://www.ojp.gov/ovc/welcome.html



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