Minnesota Statute 611A provides the following rights to victims.
Notification
You have the right to be notified of:
- Content of any plea agreement
- Changes in the schedule of court proceedings if notified to testify
- Final disposition of the case
- Any appeals and the right to attend if there are oral arguments
- Sentence modifications
- Release of the offender from prison or other custodial institutions or transfer to a less secure facility
- Escape and apprehension of the offender form prison or other custodial institution
- Motions to have case records expunged (sealed and kept confidential)
- Filing of a civil commitment petition and the outcome
Participating in prosecution
You have the right to participate in prosecution, including:
- Content of any plea agreement
- Changes in the schedule of court proceedings if notified to testify
- Final disposition of the case
- Any appeals and the right to attend if there are oral arguments
- Sentence modifications
- Release of the offender from prison or other custodial institutions or transfer to a less secure facility
- Escape and apprehension of the offender from prison or other custodial institution
- Motions to have case records expunged (sealed and kept confidential)
- Filing of a civil commitment petition and the outcome
Protection
You have the right to protection from harm, including:
- Tampering with a witness is a crime in Minnesota
- Not providing your address in open court
- Waiting in a secure area during court
- Not being disciplined or dismissed by your employer if called to testify
- Requesting law enforcement to withhold your identity from the public
Financial assistance
You have the right to apply for financial assistance, including:
- Financial assistance from the state for economic loss due to a violent crime, i.e. medical, counseling, and funeral expenses
- Requesting the court to order the defendant to pay restitution for out-of-pocket losses
To exercise any of these rights or to learn more about them, contact the Dakota County Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program at 651-438-4471.
Crime Victim Resources