Victim/Survivor Rights

In 1983 the Minnesota Legislature passed the Minnesota Crime Victim Bill of Rights. An advocate from a rape crisis center, helpline or advocacy program in your community can assist you in exercising these rights.

You have the RIGHT to be notified of:

• Plea agreements
• Changes in court schedules, date, time and place of plea hearings and sentencing
• Release of offender from prison/institution
• Victim rights

You have the RIGHT to participate in prosecution:

• Right to inform court of impact of crime at the time of sentencing
• Right to have input in pre-trial diversion program
• Right to object to plea bargain
• Right to request a speedy trial
• Right to bring a supportive person to all hearings
• Right to attend plea hearing
• Right to attend sentencing
• Right to give written objections to sentence

You have the RIGHT to protection from harm:

• Threatening or tampering with a witness is against Minnesota law
• Witnesses do not have to give their addresses in court
• Victims have the right to a secure waiting room during court
• Employers may not discipline or dismiss victims or witnesses who are called to testify in court

You have the RIGHT to apply for financial assistance:

• Victims may be eligible for financial assistance from the state or from the offender, if they have suffered economic loss.