Victim Rights
Under the Colorado Constitution, victims are guaranteed the following rights:
- To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
- To be informed of all “critical stages” in the criminal justice process
- To be present for specified “critical stages”
- To be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse; and to have the right to be informed about what steps can be taken if there is any intimidation or harassment by a person accused or convicted of the crime or anyone acting on the person’s behalf
- 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 the disclosure
- To consult with the prosecution prior to any disposition of the case
- To be provided with employer intercession services
- To be informed of any change in the status of the case
- Timely notification of all court dates
- To be informed of the right to restitution or civil remedy
- A prompt return of property when it is no longer needed as evidence
- To be informed of availability of financial assistance
- Whenever practical, to have a safe, secure waiting area during court proceedings.
- To be notified of an offender’s referral to community corrections
- To provide a written victim impact statement, an oral statement or both (at the discretion of the community corrections board) when an offender is referred to community corrections
- Upon request, to be informed when a person who is accused or convicted of a crime is released from the county jail
- Upon written request, to be informed when a person who is accused or convicted of a crime is released from custody (other than the county jail), is paroled, escapes from a secure or non-secure correctional facility or program, or absconds from probation or parole
- To be informed of and heard at any reconsideration of sentence, parole hearing, or commutation of sentence
- To be informed of the results of any HIV testing that is ordered and performed
- To be heard at any court proceeding that involves bond reduction or modification, acceptance of the plea, sentencing, and modification of sentence
- To be informed of any rights which the victim has pursuant to the U.S or Colorado Constitution
- To be informed of the process for enforcing compliance with the Victim Rights Act