What rights do crime victims have?

What rights do crime victims have?

Victims Rights

• be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect.
• information about, and access to, welfare, health, counselling and legal services, where available.
• information about the investigation and prosecution of the offender.
• protection from the offender and protection of privacy.

What can’t you say in a victim impact statement?

Don’t describe what you want to happen to the offender in prison. Please do not get descriptive about any harm you would like to see imposed. Don’t put personal, identifying information in your letter and do not say it verbally in court.

Do you have to testify as a victim?

When a victim refuses to testify, your case could be dismissed especially if the only evidence the prosecutor has is the victim’s statements. However, in some cases, a victim’s testimony may not be necessary therefore making it unlikely that the prosecutor will dismiss the case.

What is the punishment for battery?

Penalties for a Battery Charge The penalties for battery range from misdemeanor charges with less than 30 days in jail to substantial prison terms that include life in prison. States usually describe the possible range of sentences in their laws.

What is direct victim?

Direct victim means an individual against whom a crime has been committed or attempted.

What are the core basic rights that crime victims are entitled to?

These federal and state provisions generally articulate the following rights for victims throughout the criminal justice process: to be informed of proceedings and events; to attend proceedings and be heard; to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; to privacy and protection from intimidation and harassment; to …

How do you address a judge in a victim impact statement?

Write a letter to the judge. Address your letter to the sentencing justice, (for example, Dear Your Honor). Start by identifying yourself in the letter. You can express to the Court the impact that the crime has had on you and your family (financial, social, psychological, emotional, and physical).

How long will you be in jail for battery?

Penalties for Felony Assault and Battery Felony assault and battery usually are felonies punishable by approximately one to 25 years in prison, depending on the specific provisions of each state’s sentencing statute or sentencing guidelines.

Is battery a misdemeanor or felony?

Battery is a specific common law misdemeanor, although the term is used more generally to refer to any unlawful offensive physical contact with another person, and may be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.