Helping Victims
Victim's Rights: What Is a Victim Entitled To By Law?
Subject to Constitutional Amendment (1998), Louisiana Law states that crime victims are guaranteed the following:
The right:
- To be informed;
- To be advised of the progress of the case;
- To be treated with dignity and respect; and to be made whole;
- To be treated with fairness;
- To be informed of and present at all "critical stages of the criminal justice process;
- To be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse and to be informed about what steps can be taken if there is any intimidation or harassment by (a) a person accused of or convicted of the crime or (b) anyone acting on behalf of a person accused or convicted of the crime;
- To be present and heard in court regarding bond reduction, continuances, acceptance of plea negotiations, case disposition or sentencing;
- To talk with the District Attorney before the case is resolved or goes to trial and to be informed of how it is resolved;
- To be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellation, if known in advance;
- To prepare a Victim Impact Statement and to be present and to be heard at sentencing;
- To have restitution ordered and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil case against the person convicted of the crime;
- To a prompt return of the victim's property when no longer needed as evidence;
- To be informed of the availability of financial assistance, community services, and State Crime Victim Compensation;
- To be given appropriate employer intercession services regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials;
- To have a safe, secure waiting area during court proceedings;
- Upon request, to be informed when a person accused or convicted of the crime is released from custody, is paroled, escapes, or absconds from probation or parole;
- Upon written request, to be informed of and heard at any reconsideration of sentence, parole hearing or commutation of sentence;
- To be informed of the process for enforcing compliance with victims' rights.