Victim’s Bill of Rights
Crime victims do have rights. (For a complete listing, please see Penal Code 679.02)

The following is a partial list of rights that crime victims do have:
1. A crime victim has the right to be notified of and attend hearings.
2. A crime victim has the right to be notified that a hearing to which they have been subpoenaed has been continued.
3. A crime victim has the right to be informed of the final disposition and if it is a violent felony, to be informed of a proposed pretrial disposition before the change of plea.
4. A crime victim has the right to appear at sentencing and express his/her views to the court.
5. A crime victim has the right to be notified of parole eligibility hearings and to request and be informed of parole conditions.
6. A crime victim has the right to be notified of defendant’s escape or release from incarceration.
7. A crime victim has the right to restitution from defendant.
8. A crime victim has the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

But, crime victims do not have the right to:
1. A crime victim cannot file criminal charges or chose what a defendant will be charged.
2. A crime victim cannot choose if a defendant will be tried at the state or federal level.
3. A crime victim cannot choose or fire either a judge or a prosecutor.
4. A crime victim cannot dictate terms of a plea agreement.
5. A crime victim cannot order the amount of restitution imposed.