Victims for Justice

Mission:  

Serving victims of violent crime and the survivors of victims of homicide

A victim of violent crime shall have the right to:

1. Notice and explanation of available protections from harm and threats of harm arising out of cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts.  This includes protection orders, assistance in obtaining personal belongings, transportation to safe home or shelter, assistance in obtaining medical treatment, and other applicable services. 

2. Victim can make in writing or in person their wishes to have no contact with the defendant or any person acting on behalf of the defendant or the defendant’s council..

3. Confidentiality, with respect to the victim’s address and phone number(s), including but not limited to criminal proceedings, divorce, dissolution and child custody proceedings.

4. Refusal of making statements and/or recordings requested by the defendant or any person acting on the defendants behalf.

5. The victim may have Council, the DA, or other accompaniment during statement or recordings.

6. Information about violent crime compensation and the procedure for applying for compensation, this includes the possibility of recoverable attorney’s fees.  Note that the coverage of violent crime compensation was expanded to make claims based on third or fourth degree assaults compensable.

7. In felony, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases, the DA shall make reasonable effort to confer with the victims about their testimony before the defendant’s trial.

8.  The victim shall be notified of the date of trial..

9. Shall be notified of the defendant’s conviction and for what crimes.

10.  Notified of the date, time and location of sentencing.

11.  Notified if the sentencing or other events to which the victim is subpoenaed will not occur as scheduled.

12.  Notified of address and telephone number of the office doing the pre-sentence report.

13.  Notification of right to make a statement for the inclusion in pre-sentence report that may contain any relevant information including

1. An explanation of the nature and extent of the physical, psychological, or emotional harm or trauma suffered by the victim. 

2. An explanation of the extent of economic loss or property damage suffered.

3. An opinion of the need for and extent of restitution and whether the victim has applied for or received compensation for the loss and damage.

4. Recommendation of the victim for an appropriate sentence.

14.  Notice of the right to submit to the sentencing court a written statement that the victim believes is relevant to the sentencing report.

15. In felonies, domestic violence and sexual assault cases, the victim may appear personally at the defendants sentencing hearing to present an oral statement..

16. After the conviction, information about the complete record of the defendant’s past conviction will be provided to the victim.

17. Before the sentencing hearing, the victim will be provided with selected portions of the pre-sentence report.

18. The victim will be provided written notice of the final disposition of the case within 30 days after the final disposition.

State of Alaska Constitution, Article I, Section 24
For more information, go to the Office of Victims’ Rights website:  http://ovr.legis.state.ak.us/