Crime Victim Rights - Dakota County Minnesota

Minnesota State Statute 611A provides the following rights to victims.

Victims have the right to be notified of:

Their rights as a victim.
Content of any plea bargain agreements.
Changes in the schedule of court proceedings to a victim who has been subpoenaed or requested to testify.
Final disposition of the case.
Any pending appeals by the offender, including the right to attend the oral argument or hearing.
Sentence modifications for the offender, including the date, time and location of the review.
Release of the offender from prison or custodial institution.
Transfer of the offender from prison or custodial institution.
Escape of the offender from prison or custodial institution.
The offender's petition for expungement.
The right to request restitution and apply for reparations.

Victims have the following rights during the prosecution of their case:

Right to request a speedy trial.
Right to provide input in a pre-trial diversion decision.
Right to object orally or in writing to a proposed disposition or sentence.
Right to bring a supportive person to the pre-trial hearing.
Right to attend plea agreement hearings.
Right to object orally or in writing to a plea agreement at the hearing.
Right to inform court of impact of crime at the sentencing hearing.
Right to inform court at the sentencing hearing of social and economic impact of crime on persons and businesses in the community.
Right to attend the sentencing hearing.
Right to request a probation review hearing.

Victims and witnesses have protection from harm in the following areas:

Tampering with a witness is a crime in Minnesota and should be reported.
Employers may not discipline or dismiss victims or witnesses who are called to testify in court.
Right to request their addresses be withheld in open court.
Right to a secure waiting area during court.
Right to request law enforcement to withhold their identity from the public.

Victims have the right to apply for financial assistance:

Victims may be eligible for financial assistance (reparations) from the state if they have suffered economic loss as a result of a violent crime.
Victims may request the court to order the defendant to pay restitution.