Victim Rights in California

Victims of Crime & Families of Homicide Victims Have the Right to:

• Know the current status of your court case
• Be assisted if called as a witness
• Attend all sentencing proceedings
• Speak in person, address the court in writing, or be represented by an attorney at the time of felony sentencing to express your views concerning the defendant, the crime, and its effects on you and your family
• Have the court order restitution from the convicted person
• Request the Board of Prison Terms to provide notice of any hearing to review or consider parole eligibility or parole-setting for prisoners in your case (you must keep the Board of Prison Terms informed of your current address if you wish to be notified)
• Speak personally, submit a letter, tape recording or video tape, or send an attorney to the parole hearing to express your views about the crime and the person responsible