A victim of violent crime is:

• someone who is the victim of sexual assault, kidnapping or aggravated robbery or who has suffered personal injury or death because of the criminal conduct of another.
• the close relative (spouse, parent, adult brother or sister or child) of a deceased victim
• the guardian of a victim.

        These rights also apply to victims of juvenile crime, including victims who suffer property loss.

Victims of crime have the right to:

• Receive adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts
• Have their safety considered by the magistrate when setting bail
• Advance notification, on request, of relevant court proceedings, including cancellations and rescheduling
• Request information from a peace officer about a defendant's general right to bail and criminal investigation procedures, and from the prosecutor's office about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea agreements, restitution, appeals and parole
• Information about the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund and, on request, referral to social service agencies that provide other types of assistance
• Provide pertinent information concerning the impact of the crime to the probation department conducting the pre-sentencing investigation
• Payment for medical examination for victims of sexual assault by the law enforcement agency requesting the exam and, on request, the right to counseling regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for sexual assault victims
• Information, on request, about parole procedures, notification of parole proceedings and of the inmate's release, and the right to participate in the parole process by submitting written information to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for inclusion in the defendant's file for consideration by the Board prior to parole
• Be present at all public court proceedings, with the presiding judge's consent
• A safe waiting area at all public court proceedings
• Prompt return of any property that is no longer needed as evidence
• Have the prosecutor notify, on request, an employer that the need for the victim's testimony may involve the victim's absence from work
• Complete a Victim Impact Statement, detailing the emotional, physical and financial impact of the crime on the victim and to have the statement considered by a judge at sentencing and by officials prior to the release of the offender(s)
• For a victim of a sexual assault, the right to a forensic medical examination if, within 96 hours of the sexual assault, the assault is reported to a law enforcement agency or a forensic medical examination is otherwise conducted at a health care facility
• For a victim of an assault or sexual assault who is younger than 17 years of age or whose case involves family violence, the right to have the court consider the impact on the victim of a continuance requested by the defendant; if requested by the attorney representing the state or by counsel for the defendant, the court shall state on the record the reason for granting or denying the continuance.

  Note:
  A judge, attorney for the state, peace officer or law enforcement agency is not liable for a failure or inability to provide a right enumerated herein.

• Victim Assistance booklet (English)
• Asistencia a la Victima (Spanish)

More useful information about two-year protective orders can be found online at the Tarrant County District Attorney's office at www.tarrantda.com

This information is provided by the Crime Victim Services Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.

For more information please call: 1-800-983-9933 or check online the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.