Minnesota defines a crime victim as: Any person who suffers loss or harm as a result of a crime.
This can be the direct person the crime happened to, a family member of the direct victim, and guardian or legal caretaker of direct victims.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime, you have enforceable rights that will protect you as your case moves through the legal process.
If you believe your rights have been violated you can file a claim with the Minnesota Crime Victim Justice Unit.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the rights you are entitled to as a victim of crime. For help understanding what these rights mean, specific information about your circumstance and what rights apply to you, potential impacts of these actions, and other questions talk to your victim advocate. If you do not know who your victim advocate is locate your victim program for your county on this list.
Once the crime is reported to the police
| You have the right to… | To enforce this right… |
|---|---|
| Request that your identity be kept private in reports that are available to the public. | Tell law enforcement you want your personal information kept confidential when making your initial report. If the report has already been made, contact the law enforcement agency you are working with and request your information is kept confidential. |
| Be notified of some of your specific rights as a crime victim by law enforcement. | Law enforcement should give you this information the first time you make contact. |
| Be given information about crime victim assistance programs and resources near you. | Law enforcement should give you this information the first time you make contact. |
| Apply for financial compensation (reimbursement). | Apply online through the victim services portal (link to the right). |
| If a presentence investigation is conducted, you have a right to provide information to investigators about the impact the crime had on your life and your thoughts and position on proposed dispositions. **NOT the same as a formal victim impact statement. | Speak to the probation officer or supervision agency that is conducting the presentence investigation. **We recommend speaking to your victim advocate about how this might affect your case. |
| If an arrest has been made, victims of violent crime and domestic abuse have the right to notice of release of the offender, information on release conditions of the offender, and the supervising agency of the offender. | Sign up for notification through Minnesota VINE or Minnesota Haven. |
| In homicide cases, the next of kin of the decedent victim has the right to be given information about the rights and procedures to protect the property of the decedent. | Talk to the law enforcement agency or prosecutor who is handling your case and ask for this information. |
When the case is prosecuted
| You have the right to… | To enforce this right… |
|---|---|
| Be notified that the case will be prosecuted, information about the prosecution process, and your rights as a victim | Make sure the prosecutor’s office that is handling your case has your updated contact information. They will contact you with updates. |
| Be notified of any pretrial diversion programs being considered and voice your thoughts and opinions on them. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Be notified of the terms and conditions of any potential plea negotiations. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Talk to the prosecutor about requesting a speedy trial. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Be given notice of and attend plea hearings and sentencing hearings. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Submit a written objection to a proposed plea agreement to be read and taken into account by the judge at the plea hearing. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. You can either read your statement in court or submit it in writing. |
| Protection from the offender and any potential supporters through a secured waiting area or other safeguards in the courthouse. | The safety concerns should go to the bailiff, the court administrator, or the judge. Speak to the prosecutor handling your case about communicating any safety concerns, and if there is still an issue reach out to the court administrator. |
| Report any witness tampering or any violations of criminal no contact orders or civil protective orders (DANCO, OFP, HRO). | Report the action to law enforcement or speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Be present at court proceedings, even when the offender is a juvenile. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case for the court date/information. |
| Victims of violent crime and domestic abuse have the right to be notified of any potential bail hearing cases. | The prosecutor should notify you with this information. |
| Request private information (home address, employment address, phone numbers, birthday) be protected from being viewed in open court and from being given to the offender. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| Protection from any retaliatory actions taken by your employer or the employer of a family member in response to time off to attend court proceedings. | Give your employer at least 48 hours of notice before the court proceeding. Speak to the prosecutor handling your case if your employer is not cooperating. |
| Request a court order protecting a homicide victim’s property from being destroyed or disposed of by the offender. | You will file for a court order. Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
| If you have been asked to testify or have been subpoenaed you have a right to be notified when the hearing schedule changes. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case for the court date/information. |
After the case has concluded
| You have the right to… | To enforce this right… |
|---|---|
| Deliver a victim impact statement through writing or orally at the sentencing hearing. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case who will notify the court. |
| Be notified of the case’s outcome. | If you have opted-in and communicated you would like to be notified, the prosecutor should notify you. |
| Be notified of your post conviction rights. | Speak to the supervising agency in charge of the inmate. |
Victims of Sexual Assault
| You have the right to… | To enforce this right… |
|---|---|
| Be notified of charges being dropped. | The prosecutor’s office should reach out to you. |
| Have a sexual assault examination kit completed at no cost. | The hospital should give you information about the state paying for the exam. |
| Have a sexual assault examination kit tested. | Once the examination is completed, tell the law enforcement agency handling your case that you give consent for the kit to be tested. |
| Be notified of the status of a sexual assault examination kit testing. | Speak to the law enforcement agency handling your case. |
Victims of Domestic Violence
| You have the right to… | To enforce this right… |
|---|---|
| Be notified of charges being dropped or the decision not to prosecute. | The prosecutor’s office should reach out to you. |
| Have an advocate with you at domestic-abuse related hearings. | Speak to your victim advocate about attending court proceedings with you. |
| Terminate a lease without penalty. | Give a written, signed, and dated notice to your landlord, before the lease is up. Speak to your victim advocate about requirements in the notice |
| Be notified of and obtain a form of protective order. | Speak to the prosecutor handling your case. |
Resources
Inmate Custody and Release
Financial Assistance
Support Lines/Crisis Support
Direct Victim Servies
- Minnesota Victim Service Provider List (sorted by county)
Legal Reading Help