Victim's Rights
Your Rights as the Victim of a Violent Crime
We are sorry to hear that you have been victimized as part of a crime. We want you to know that we have resources in the District Attorney’s Office to help you cope with that crime and to inform you about court proceedings against the person(s) who committed a crime against you.
What follows outlines the rights that you have as a victim, the services we provide or can direct you to, and what you can do at different stages of the court case. We hope you find this helpful, and encourage you to call our office at (719) 583-6030 if you need our help.
| Bill Thiebaut |
| District |
| Attorney |
What crimes qualify for those rights?
What are my rights as a victim?
What assistance can I get from the District Attorney's Office?
Who else can I call for help?
Who can I talk to about the case?
What should I do if I get new information?
What happens after the defendant is sentenced?
What can I do if I feel my rights have not been honored?
What crimes qualify for those rights?
Assault; Careless Driving Causing Death; Child Abuse; Crimes Against an At-Risk Adult/Juvenile; Criminal Solicitation; Criminally Negligent Homicide; Domestic Violence; Ethnic Intimidation; Hit and Run Causing Death; Incest; Indecent Exposure; Kidnapping; Manslaughter; Menacing; Murder; Retaliation Against a Victim/Witness Robbery; Sexual Assault; Sexual Assault on a Child; Sexual Assault on a Child by one in a Position of Trust; Sexual Assault on a Client by a Therapist; Sexual Exploitation of Children; Stalking; Tampering; Vehicular Assault; Vehicular Homicide; Violation of a Protection Order (if charged with Sexual Assault; Sexual Assault on a Child; Sexual Assault on a Child by one in a Position of Trust; Sexual Assault on a Client by a Therapist)
What are my rights as a victim?
- To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
- To have a swift and fair resolution of your case
- To be informed of and present for critical stages of the criminal justice process
- To be present and heard in court regarding any bond reduction, continuance, acceptance of plea negotiation, case disposition or sentencing
- To have a safe place to wait before court, to talk with the Deputy District Attorney before the case is resolved and to be informed of how it is resolved
- To prepare a Victim Impact Statement if the case is a felony and to be present and to be heard at sentencing
- To be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellations if known in advance
- To be informed what steps can be taken if you or a witness is harassed or intimidated
- To have restitution
- To pursue a civil judgment against anyone who has committed a crime against you
- To be informed, if requested, of post-conviction release or modification hearings, transfer to less secure facility or escape
- To get your property back quickly when no longer needed for prosecution
- To be informed about financial assistance and community services
- To be provided with appropriate employment intercession regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials
- To be informed of the process of enforcing compliance with these rights
What assistance can I get from the District Attorney's Office?
Victim Assistant Specialists:
- Follow-up support for the victim and/or the victim’s family is available through the Victim Assistance Unit at the District Attorney’s Office. A victim assistant can assist you with any questions you may have about the court process, provide you with updates on the status of your case and accompany you to court.
- Special services for child victims, elderly victims or victims who are persons with disabilities are also available. Please call (719) 583-6030 for assistance.
- Victim Assistance Specialists provide community resource referrals for: counseling, legal aid services, probation, social services, shelter, transportation, assistance with creditors, translation services, child care services during court proceedings (not always available) and other support services.
Financial Assistance:
You may qualify for assistance through the Victim Compensation Program for certain expenses such as medical expenses, lost wages, mental health therapy, funeral/burial costs and in some cases, broken windows or door locks.
Who else can I call for help?
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
| Emergency | 911 |
| Pueblo Police Department | 553-2538 |
| Pueblo Sheriff’s Department | 583-6125 |
| YWCA Family Crisis Shelter | 545-8195 |
| Parkview Hospital | 584-4000 |
| St. Mary Corwin Hospital | 560-4000 |
| District Attorney | 583-6030 |
| Rape Crisis Center | 544-1191 |
| ACOVA | 583-6434 |
| Pueblo Child Advocacy | 583-6332 |
| Legal Aid | 545-6708 |
Who can I talk to about the case?
Officers and detectives from the law enforcement agency will be investigating the case as well as the District Attorney’s Office. Ask for identification so you know with whom you are speaking. These people will always identify themselves by the department name. If someone says they work for “the State”, they are not from a local law enforcement agency or the District Attorney’s Office.
The defendant’s attorney or investigator may also contact you about the case. This is their right and it is appropriate for them to do so. The investigator may be from the Public Defender’s Office or may be working with a private attorney. Always ask for identification. You have the right to speak with the person, not to speak with the person or speak with the person with someone from the District Attorney’s Office present.
We encourage witnesses to be cooperative with all parties to the case and the District Attorney’s Office will be happy to assist you at your request.
What should I do if I get new information?
You may call the law enforcement agency that investigated the case or anyone at the District Attorney’s Office handling the case.
What happens after the defendant is sentenced?
After conviction of a defendant charged with a violent crime and UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST, our state and local correctional authorities will notify you of information regarding the defendant’s incarceration, including where the defendant is incarcerated, the projected release date, scheduled parole hearing and any escape of the defendant.
If the defendant in your case is sentenced to the Department of Corrections, you may have the right to get this information if you request it in writing to:
DOC Victim Notification Program
Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center
P.O. Box 392004
Denver, CO 80239-8004
(303) 307-2225
What can I do if I feel my rights have not been honored?
Colorado law provides that victims may enforce compliance with the provisions of the Victims Rights Constitutional Amendment by notifying first the local District Attorney’s Office, and if not satisfied there, contacting the State office that oversees victims’ rights. At the District Attorney’s Office, you can talk with the Victim Assistance Coordinator at (719) 583-6092. If still not satisfied, please contact:
Division of Criminal Justice
Office for Victims’ Programs
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80215
Phone (303) 239-4497
FAX (303) 239-4491
In order to help you, we need to know where you are. If you are a victim working with our victim advocates, please keep the District Attorney’s Office informed of your current address and phone number at all times.
