The UNT Police Department is committed to providing assistance to victims of crime. We hope the information contained in this brochure is both helpful and informative. If at any time you have any questions regarding these services, please feel free to contact our Crime Victim Liason at (940) 369-8984. If you have additional information or questions regarding your case, contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (940) 565-3006. For emergencies, dial 911.

TEXAS CRIME VICTIM RIGHTS

A victim of violent crime is: (1) someone who has suffered bodily injury or death or who is the victim of sexual assault, kidnapping, or aggravated robbery; (2) the close relative(spouse, parent, adult brother or sister, or child) of a deceased victim; or (3) the guardian of a victim. As a victim of a violent crime, close relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim, you have the following rights:

• The right to receive from law enforcement agencies adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts;
• The right to have the magistrate take the safety of the victim or their family into consideration as an element in fixing the amount of bail for the accused;
• The right, if requested, to be informed of relevant court proceedings and to be informed if those court proceedings have been cancelled or rescheduled prior to the event;
• The right to be informed, when requested, by a peace officer about the defendant’s right to bail and the procedures in criminal investigations, and by the District Attorneys Office concerning the general procedures in the criminal justice system, including general procedures in guilty plea negotiations and arrangements, restitution, and the appeals and parole process;
• The right to provide pertinent information to a probation department conducting the pre-sentencing investigation concerning the impact of the offense on the victim and his family by testimony, written statement, or any other manner prior to any sentencing of the offender;
• In addition, state law provides that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim, may complete a Victim Impact Statement and have that statement considered by the court in a criminal case prior to the imposition of a sentence and by the Board of Pardons and Paroles in the parole process. Victims may also appear in court and present a statement to the court after the sentence has been pronounced;
• The right to receive information regarding the compensation to victims of crime as provided by the Crime Victims Compensation Act (Chapter 56 of the Code of Criminal Procedures), including information related to the costs that may be compensated under that Act, the payment for a medical examination under article 56.06 of this code for a victim of a sexual assault, and when requested, a referral to available social service agencies that may offer additional assistance;
• The right to be informed, upon request, of parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to be notified, if requested, of parole proceedings concerning the defendant to the victim’s case, to provide to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for inclusion in the defendant’s file information to be considered by the board prior to the parole of any defendant convicted of any crime subject to this Act, and to be notified, if requested, of the defendant’s release;
• The right to be provided with a waiting area, separate or secure from other witnesses, including the offender and relatives of the offender, before testifying in any proceeding concerning the offender; if a separate waiting area is not available, other safeguards should be taken to minimize the victim’s contact with the offender and the offender’s relatives and witnesses, before and during court proceedings.
• The right to prompt return of any property of the victim that is held by a law enforcement agency or the attorney for the state as evidence when the property is no longer required for that purpose;
• The right to have the attorney for the state notify the employer of the victim, if requested, of the necessity of the victim’s cooperation and testimony in a proceeding that may necessitate the absence of the victim from work for a good cause;
• The right to have counseling, on request, regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for AIDS and HIV related infection, if the offense is a sexual offense or sexual assault;
• The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, subject to the approval of the judge in the case;
• The right to privacy, as far as is reasonably practical - that the address of the victim may not be part of the court file except as necessary to identify the place of the crime. The phone number of the victim may not be part of the court file.

If you or your family have been contacted or threatened by the defendant or the defendant’s family since the crime occurred, please contact your local law enforcement agency and prosecutor immediately.

FAMILY VIOLENCE INFORMATION

It is a crime for any person to cause you any physical injury or threaten physical harm, EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD.

Please tell the investigating peace officer:

If you, your child, or any other household resident has been injured; or if you feel you are going to be in danger when the officer leaves or at a later time.

You have the right to:

• Ask the local prosecutor to file a criminal complaint against the person committing family violence.
• Apply to a court for an order to protect you (you should consult a legal aid office, a District Attorney, or a private attorney). For example, the court can enter an order that:
  1- The abuser not commit further acts of violence;
  2- The abuser not threaten, harass, or contact you at home;
  3- Directs the abuser to leave your household; and
  4- Establishes the temporary custody of the children and directs the abuser not to interfere with the children or any property.
• Apply for benefits under the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

A violation of certain provisions of court-ordered protection (such as 1 and 2 above) is a criminal offense. Emergency Shelter is available for victims and their children who are in immediate danger. For more information, contact:

Denton County Friends of the Family
Main: (940) 387-5131; 24-hour crisis line: (940) 382-7273

If you have filed charges against a person and that person, their family member, or an acquaintance threatens or otherwise intimidates you, contact your local police department immediately.

Victim Services

UNT Police Department:
In case of emergency, dial 911; Non-Emergency: (940) 565-3000

Denton Police Department: (940) 349-8181

Denton County Sheriff’s Office: (940) 898-5700

Denton County District Attorney: (940) 349-2600; Victim Assistance Coordinator: (940) 565-8556

Resources

• Protective Orders: Denton County D.A. - (940) 565-8556
• Community Resources & Info. Helpline United Way - (940) 566-2688
• AFDC, Food Stamps: TDHS - (940) 383-2371
• Child or Elder Abuse Hotline: TDRPS - (800) 252-5400
• Mental Health / Mental Retardation Hotline Denton Co. - (800) 762-0157
• Denton County Jail Family Violence Notification - (940) 898-5709
• Crime Victim's Compensation - (800) 983-9933
• Victim Notification: Texas Board of Pardons & Parole - (800) 848-4284
• 24-Hour Victim Notification Line: TDCJ - (888) 778-2867
• Denton County Parole - (940) 566-1116
• Denton County Probation - (940) 898-5810
• Denton Regional Medical Center - (940) 566-4000
• Trinity Medical Center - (972) 492-1010
• Family Violence Legal Advise Line - (800) 374-HOPE
• Legal Hotline - (800) 777-FAIR
• Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County - (972) 317-2818
• CASA County Appointed Special Advocate - (940) 243-2272
• Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) - (800) 717-5214
• MADD North Texas Chapter - (940) 387-8814