The Rights of Victims of Crimes

If you are the victim of any one of the crimes listed below, your right to be informed and to participate in all critical stages of the criminal justice process related to that crime is guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution.

This Web page is designed to help you exercise those rights. The Parker Police Department Victim’s Advocate can answer your questions.

Crimes Covered by the Victim Rights Act

The Constitution of the State of Colorado and the laws of the state [Section 24-4.1-302(1) C.R.S.] guarantee certain rights to the victims of the following criminal acts:

• Any criminal attempt, conspiracy, criminal solicitation or accessory involving any of the crimes specified
• Assault, vehicular assault
• Bias motivated crimes
• Burglary-1st degree
• Careless driving that results in the death of another person
• Child abuse
• Child prostitution
• Crimes against at-risk adults or juveniles
• Crimes identified by law enforcement as domestic violence
• Criminally negligent homicide and vehicular homicide
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident that results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person
• First degree burglary
• Human trafficking in adults or children
• Incest and aggravated incest
• Indecent exposure or invasion of privacy for sexual gratification
• Intimidating and aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Menacing
• Murder - 1st and 2nd Degree
• Posting a private image for harassment or pecuniary gain
• Retaliation against a judge or juror
• Retaliation against a victim or witness
• Robbery
• Sexual assault
• Sexual assault on a child, on a child by one in a position of trust
• Sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist
• Sexual exploitation of children
• Stalking
• Tampering with a victim or witness
• Unlawful Sexual Contact
• Violation of criminal protection order issued against a person charged with sexual assault or stalking

If the victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights may be exercised by the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, significant other or other lawful representative.

Victim Rights

Victims of crimes listed have the right to:

• Be treated with fairness, respect and dignity
• Be informed of and present for all critical stages of the criminal justice process
• Be informed about what steps can be taken and protections can be afforded if he/she is subjected to any intimidation or harassment
• Notification of any change in the status of the accused including release or discharge from the county jail
• Information on charges filed
• Information on charges not filed in misdemeanor cases
• Have Social Security Number redacted from criminal justice documents if released to the public
• Assurance of swift and fair resolution of the proceedings
• Consult with the District Attorney prior to any disposition of the case or before a case goes to trial and be informed of the final disposition of the case
• Be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellations
• Prepare a Victim Impact Statement and to be present and/or heard at sentencing
• Restitution and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil judgment
• Prompt return of the victim’s property when no longer needed as evidence
• Information on the availability of financial assistance and community services
• Appropriate employer intercession services regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials
• Whenever practicable, be able to have a safe, secure waiting area
• Be informed of the results of any court-ordered HIV testing
• Be informed of any post-conviction proceedings related to DNA issues
• Inform victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than three years, an annual update concerning the status of the case
• To be informed of any rights which the victim has pursuant to the Constitution of the United States or the State of Colorado
• Request a copy of the law enforcement report and other documents related to the case, including the right to receive a free copy of the initial incident report. The release of any such documents associated with the investigation is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency based on the status of the case
• If a victim or victim’s designee is unavailable to be present for the critical stages described in this section and the victim or the victim’s designee wishes to address the court, the right to request that the court, within the court’s resources, arrange and provide the means for the victim or the victim’s designee to provide input to the court beyond a written victim impact statement
• Be informed of the existence of a criminal protection order under section 18-1-1001, C.R.S. or section 19-2-207, C.R.S, and upon request of the victim, information about provisions that may be added or modified and the process for requesting such an addition or modification
• View your rights online

Victim Services

As a victim of the crimes listed, you may be entitled to the following services:

• Immediate crisis intervention and follow-up support
• Special services for juvenile, elderly or victims with disabilities
• Referral to public and private individuals and organizations providing:
  • Medical and other emergency services
  • Mental health and social services
  • Financial assistance
  • Translation or interpretation services
  • Intervention with creditors, landlords and employers
  • Legal resources
  • Rehabilitative services
  • Transportation and child care services
  • Information about victim / offender dialogue
  • Victim compensation services
  • Other support services

You may qualify to apply for financial assistance from the 18th Judicial Victim Compensation Fund. For more information, contact the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office at 720.874.8500 and ask for the Victim Compensation Office or visit the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office victim compensation page for additional resources.

Victim Notification Information

VINE will monitor the custody status of offenders in participating jails/sheriff’s offices. Information is available to callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a victim of certain crimes, you will automatically be registered to receive custody status updates if the suspect in your case has been, or will be arrested. To opt-out or modify your registration visit Vine, or dial 888.263.8463.

View more information on VINE online.