The Ben Doran Foundation
Victim And Witness Rights
HomeAbout UsVICTIM SUPPORT LINKS AND FRIENDS OF THE BEN DORAN FOUNDATIONAnnouncementsHistoryBenny's LawGriefVictim And Witness RightsInterviewsTropicanaSay it Loud!ContributionsRett SyndromeThank YouContact Us

Victims And Witnesses Have Rights 

Right To Be Notified Of

  • Victim Rights
  • Prosecution process and the right to participate
  • Content of any plea bargain agreements
  • Changes in court proceeding schedule when a victim has been subpoenaed or requested to testify
  • Final disposition of the case
  • Appeals filed by the defendant, the right to attend the oral argument or hearing and the right to be notified of the final disposition
  • Sentence modifications for the offender including the date, time, and location of the review
  • Release, transfer, or escape of the offender from prison or custodial institution
  • Offender's petition for expungement
  • Right to request restitution and right to apply for reparations
  • Information on the nearest crime victim assistance program or resource
  • Petition to civilly commit an offender, outcome of that petition, and notice of offender's possible discharge/release from civil commitment

Right To Protection From Harm

  • Right to a secure waiting area during court proceedings
  • Right to request address and other information be withheld in open court
  • Right to request law enforcement withhold victim's identity from the public
  • Right to confidential request for HIV testing of offender in sexual assault cases
  • Protection against employer retaliation for victims and witnesses called to testify and for victims of heinous crimes and their family members wishing to take reasonable time off to attend court proceedings
  • Tampering with a witness is a crime and should be reported

Right To Participate In Prosecution

  • Right to request a speedy trial
  • Right to provide input in a pretrial diversion decision
  • Right to object orally or in writing to a proposed disposition or sentence
  • Right to object orally or in writing to a plea agreement at the hearing 
  • Right to inform court of impact of crime orally or in writing 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 be present at the sentencing and plea presentation hearings
  • Right to submit statement regarding decision to discharge/release offender from civil commitment

The Right To Apply For Financial Assistance

  • Victims of violent crime may apply for financial assistance (reparations) from the state if they have suffered economic loss as a result of the crime
  • Victims may request the court to order the defendant to pay restitution if the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty
  • Victims may request that a probation violation hearing be scheduled 60 days prior to the expiration of probation if restitution has not been paid

Domestic Violence and Harrassment Victims

  • Right to be informed of decision by the prosecutor to decline prosecution or dismiss case, accompanied by information about seeking a protective or harrassment order at no fee
  • Protection against employer retaliation for victims to take reasonable time off to attend order for protection or harrassment restraining order proceedings

24-HOUR CRISIS REFERRAL
LINE DIAL 2-1-1 or (651) 291-0211

This information was provided from the State of Minnesota Office of Justice Programs

We have come this far because of the generous support of our family and friends.  We have hosted eleven benefits since Ben's foundation was formed.   We have also received support through local community grants.  We need donations to keep us going!  We are grassroots and depend on every contribution.

Please DONATE TODAY!   Your contribution will help us support survivors of homicide and is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!   Please click on the CONTRIBUTIONS TAB for more information ~ Thank you so much!
Margueritte (Maggie) Doran, Rome Hanson, St. Paul, Minnesota