OHIO VICTIMS RIGHTS LAW
Victims of crime should realize they are not helpless bystanders in the criminal justice system. Victims possess specific rights from the time of the crime until the offender is released from prison. This document includes a summary of those rights under Chapter 2930 of the Ohio Revised Code. It also includes a brief explanation of the early procedural steps in the criminal justice system.
If you have been a victim of a crime listed below, you could be eligible to receive notification of the criminal proceedings.
Eligible Victims: ALL felony crimes against people and property. The following misdemeanor crimes — including similar municipal ordinances:
- Domestic Violence
- Assault
- Vehicular Homicide
- Negligent Homicide
- Sexual Imposition
- Menacing by Stalking
- Menacing
- Aggravated Menacing
- Intimidation
REQUIRED NOTICES IF REQUESTED BY VICTIM
A victim has a right to be notified of information regarding the case either orally or in writing. A letter including the name of the defendant, the offense, and the case number will be sent to each victim along with a form to request notification. It is the responsibility of each victim to request notification, if desired, and to maintain a current address or phone number with the agency responsible for notification (2930.03(C)). If the victim is unable to receive notification, the victim has a right to select a representative to receive these notices on the victim’s behalf,(2930.06(B)). If the victim returns the form requesting notification, the victim/witness coordinator must notify the victim of the following (where applicable):
- All court proceedings and schedule changes, including date, time and location, (2930.06(C));
- Victim’s right to attend hearings;
- Procedure to follow if victim is subject to threats or intimidation;
- To the extent practicable, confer with the victim before an agreement to a negotiated plea, amendment, dismissal of a charge, diversion or trial. Failure of the prosecutor to confer with the victim, with his or her reasoning, shall be noted on the court record, (2930.06(A));
- Acquittal or conviction in a trial, (2930.12);
- Crimes of which the defendant was convicted, (2930.12(A));
- Phone number and address of Probation Department or other representative preparing pre-sentence investigation, (2930.12(B));
- Notice that victim may make a statement as part of the pre-sentence investigation. Court may show the victim’s statement to the defendant, (2930.12(C);
- The date, time and place of sentencing, (2930.12(E)) and the victim’s right to make a written or oral statement before sentencing, (2930.12(F));
- The sentence and any change to the sentence, (2930.12(F));
- An appeal being filed, and the subsequent procedural process, (2930.15(A)) and (2930.15(A)(1));
- The release of the defendant on bond, pending the disposition of appeal, (2930.15(A)(2));
- The time, place, and location of appellate court proceedings and any subsequent changes in those proceedings, (2930.15(A)(3));
- The result of the appeal, (2930.15(A)(4));
- Incarceration and likely release date of defendant; (2930.16(A)); the business address and phone number of the custodial agency for victim to contact;
- Hearings for judicial release and the victim’s right to make a statement, (2930.16(B)). The court shall notify the victim of its ruling in each of those hearings (2930.16(B));
OTHER VICTIM RIGHTS
Confidentiality
The prosecutor may ask the court to suppress victim’s or victim’s representatives identifying information if there is fear of threats or violence. The court shall hold a recorded hearing in chambers, (2930.07(A)).
The court may suppress victim information from files, except when determining the crime location, and seal the transcript of the hearing, (2930.07(B)).
Speedy Prosecutions
If practicable, the prosecutor must inform victim of possible delays in the process and, if the victim objects, the prosecutor shall inform the court which shall consider the victim’s concerns before approving delays, (2930.08).
Attendance at Hearings
Victims may attend any hearing where the defendant is present unless the judge rules exclusion of the victim is necessary to guarantee a fair trial, (2930.09).
At the victim’s request, the court must permit a support person to accompany the victim unless the judge rules this will cause an unfair trial for the defendant, (2930.09).
Separated Waiting Areas
The court must attempt to minimize contacts between the victim and the defendant and shall provide a separate waiting area for each, (2930.10(A) and 2930.10(B)).
Bond Re-Hearing
If a defendant is released on bond, and the victim or victim’s family has been harmed or threatened by the defendant, or at the defendant’s direction, then the victim may request the prosecutor to ask the court to reconsider bond conditions, (2930.05(B)).
Property Return
Law enforcement must promptly return property to the victim unless it is contraband, ownership is disputed, or the prosecutor certifies that it must be kept instead of photographed, or the court promptly rules evidentiary value to defendant is greater than the victim’s need for the property to be returned, (2930.11).
Victim Impact Statement
Victims may make a written or oral statement for any pre-sentence investigation that a court orders. If so requested, the victim’s written statement shall be included in the pre-sentence investigation, (2930.13(A)). Any statement may include physical and emotional harm, economic losses, restitution needs, compensation requests, and the victim’s recommendation for an appropriate sentence for the defendant, (2930.13(C)). Before sentencing or an early release hearing, the court shall permit and consider a victim impact statement, (2930.17(A)). The court may give copies of any written statements to both victims and defendants and remove irrelevant information. Written statements are not public record and must be returned to the court. New information from the victim may allow a response from the defendant, (2930.14(A) and 2930.14(B)).
Employee Protections
Employers cannot take punitive action against victims for preparing for or attending court hearings at the prosecutor’s request, or by subpoena. A violation of this section is contempt of court, (2930.18).
Early Release or Change in Custodial Circumstances
If a victim so requests, the agency having custody of the defendant must notify the victim of any release hearings and/or releases, and the right to make a statement prior to such hearings. It must also notify the victim should the defendant escape.
Victim’s Compensation
As a victim of a crime, you may be entitled to file a claim under Ohio’s Crime Victim’s Compensation Act. To file a claim, you must fit in one of the following categories: 1) an innocent victim of violent crime, including a victim of a drunk driver; 2) a dependent of a deceased victim; 3) a parent or guardian of a crime victim if you pay the victim’s expenses; or 4) someone who has taken legal responsibility to pay the expenses incurred due to the crime.
The Crime Victim’s Compensation Act covers all medical expenses necessary for treatment and care of the victim that are not covered by insurance, funeral expenses, loss of income, counseling costs, and some other costs. The Victim’s Compensation Act does not cover property damage or loss and does not cover claims for pain and suffering. The Compensation Act only pays for out-of-pocket expenses that are not recoverable through some other source.
You are required to file a claim for compensation within two years of the date the crime occurred. The only exception is for people who are juveniles when they become victims. They can file before they turn 20 years of age. A failure to file within the two year time period may result in you not being able to recover under the Crime Victim’s Compensation Act.
If a victim is threatened
If a victim should at any time become subject to threats or intimidation by the defendant or any other person, the victim should immediately notify the Prosecutor’s Office or the law enforcement agency handling the case. There are certain criminal charges that can be filed against individuals who attempt to intimidate victims or witnesses of a case.
Designating a representative to exercise the victim’s rights
If for some reason a victim wishes to designate a representative to exercise the victim’s rights for the victim, the victim must notify the Prosecutor’s Office in writing of the representative that the victim has chosen. At that point, there will be no further contact with the victim, but all contact will go through the victim’s representative that the victim has designated.
If you wish to receive additional Information or have any questions about the rights of crime victims contact our office at (740) 622-3566. We care about you as the victim of a crime and your rights are important to us. Our office will do our best to protect your rights as a victim and help you achieve any of these rights which you choose to exercise.
For more information on Victim Services provided by the Ohio Attorney General, Mike DeWine, please visit http://www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov
Benjamin E. Hall, Prosecuting Attorney