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CRIME VICTIM'S RIGHTS
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| If you are the victim of a crime involving sexual assault,
kidnapping or aggravated robbery, or you have suffered bodily injury as
the result of the conduct of a child, or if you are the close relative or
guardian of a deceased victim, or if you are the owner or lessor of property
damaged or lost as a result of the conduct of a child that violates a penal
law of this state, you are entitled to the following rights within the juvenile
justice system as set out in the Texas Family Code §57.002: |
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- The right to receive from law enforcement agencies adequate protection
from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution
efforts;
- The rights to have the court or person appointed by the court take
the safety of the victim or the victim's family into consideration as
an element in determining whether the child should be detained before
the child's conduct is adjudicated;
- The right, if requested, to be informed of relevant court proceedings,
including appellate proceedings, and to be informed in a timely manner
if those court proceeding have been canceled or rescheduled;
- The right to be informed, when requested, by the court or by a person
appointed by the court, concerning the procedures in the juvenile justice
system, including general procedures relating to the preliminary investigation
and deferred prosecution and the appeal of a case;
- The right to provide pertinent information to a juvenile court conducting
a disposition hearing concerning the impact
of the offense on the victim and the victim's family by testimony,
written statement, or any other manner before the court renders
its disposition;
- The right to receive information regarding compensation to victims
as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 56 Code of Criminal Procedure,
including information related to the costs that may be compensated under
the subchapter and the amount of compensation, eligibility for compensation,
and procedures for application for compensation under that subchapter,
the payment of medical expenses under Section 56.06, Code of Criminal
Procedure, for a victim of a sexual assault, and when requested, a referral
to available social service agencies that may offer additional assistance;
- The right to be informed, upon request, of procedures for release
under supervision or transfer of the person to the custody of the pardons
and paroles division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for
parole, to participate in the release or transfer for parole process,
to be notified, if requested, of the person's release, escape, or transfer
for parole proceedings concerning the person, to provide to the Texas
Youth Commision for inclusion in the person's file information to be
considered by the commission before the release under supervision or
transfer for parole of the person, and to be notified, if requested,
of the person's release or transfer for parole.
- The right to be provided with a waiting area, separate or secure from
other witnesses, including the child alleged to have committed the conduct
and relatives of the child, before testifying in any proceeding concerning
the child, or if a separate waiting area is not available, other safeguards
should be taken to minimize the victim's contact with the child and
the child's relatives and witnesses, before and during court proceedings;
- The right to prompt return of any property of the victim that is held
by law enforcement agency or the attorney for the state as evidence
when the property is no longer required for the purpose;
- The right to have the attorney for the state notify the employer of
the victim, if requested, of the necessity of the victim's cooperation
and testimony in a proceeding that may necessitate the absence of the
victim from work for good cause;
- The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to
the conduct of the child as provided by Section 54.08, subject to that
section; and
- Any other right appropriate to the victim that a victim of criminal
conduct has under Article 56.02, Code of criminal Procedure.
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CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION
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Crime Victims' Compensation is a financial assistance program that helps
eligible victims of crime with certain expenses related to the crime.
Money for this program comes from court costs paid by criminals and deposited
by each Texas county into the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.
The Crime Victims' Compensation Division is in the Office of the Attorney
General who administers these funds and is dedicated to ensuring that
crime victims receive every possible assistance.
The Crime Victims' Compensation Division is "the payer of last resort"
after primary sources of payment such as health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare,
auto insurance or Texas Workers' Compensation.
If the court orders the offender to pay restitution to the victim for
an expense that Crime Victims' Compensation has already paid, the victim
or claimant recovers money through the settlement of a civil suit against
the offender or a third party, he or she may also have to reimburse the
Fund. For more details on eligibility and coverage link to the
Office
of the Attorney General State of Texas Website.
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VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT
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The forms contained in the packets can be used to provide pertinent
information to a juvenile court concerning the impact of the offense
on the victim and the victim's family. Please complete and return
this form to: Collin County Juvenile Probation Department, 900 East
Park Blvd. #210, Plano, TX, 75074.
Victim
Impact Statement (English)
Victim
Impact Statement (Spanish)
Just
for Kids - Victim Impact Statement
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