Ohio Crime Victims' Rights: Federal Laws

Under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA), 18 U.S.C. § 3771, victims have the following rights:
The right to be reasonably protected from the accused
The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused
The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding
The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding
The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case
The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law
The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay
The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy
The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement

The Victims of Crime Act established the Crime Victims Fund

There is created in the Treasury a separate account to be known as the Crime Victims Fund

Crime victim compensation

Crime victim assistance

Under the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA), 34 U.S.C. § 20141, some of the services victims are entitled to include:
To be informed of the place where they may receive medical and social services
To be informed of public and private programs available for counseling, treatment, and other support services
To receive reasonable protection from a suspected offender and persons acting in concert with or at the behest of the suspected offender
To know the status of the investigation of the crime, to the extent it is appropriate and will not interfere with the investigation
To have personal property being held for evidentiary purposes maintained in good condition and returned as soon as it is no longer needed for evidentiary purposes.

CRIME VICTIM SERVICES

US Dept of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

Ohio Capital Journal 5/7/24