Victims Rights

Rights Granted to Victims of a Crime in New Jersey

Rights of Victims of Crime in New Jersey:

• To be treated with dignity and compassion by the criminal justice system
  
  
• To be informed about the criminal justice process
  
  
• To be free from intimidation
  
  
• To have inconveniences associated with participation in the criminal justice process minimized to the fullest extent possible
  
  
• To make at least one telephone call provided the call is reasonable in both length and location called
  
  
• To medical assistance if, in the judgment of the law enforcement agency, medical assistance appears necessary
  
  
• To be notified if presence in court is not needed
  
  
• To be informed about available remedies, financial assistance and social services
  
  
• To be compensated for their loss whenever possible
  
  
• To be provided a secure, but not necessarily separate, waiting area during court proceedings
  
  
• To be advised of case progress and final disposition
  
  
• To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence
  
  
• To submit a written statement about the impact of the crime to a representative of the county prosecutor's office which shall be considered prior to the prosecutor's final decision concerning whether formal criminal charges will be filed
  
  
• To make, prior to sentencing, an in-person statement directly to the sentencing court concerning the impact of the crime. This statement is to be made in addition to the statement permitted for inclusion in the pre-sentence report by N.J.S. 2C:44-6. In any homicide prosecution the victim's survivor may display directly to the sentencing court at the time of this statement a photograph of the victim taken before the homicide.
  
  

For more information visit The New Jersey Office of Attorney General web site.