Victims’ Rights / Victim Rights – Connecticut

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WHAT ARE CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IN CONNECTICUT?

In 1996, a victims’ rights amendment was approved by referendum and became Article 29 of the Connecticut state constitution. This amendment gives victims of crime in Connecticut the right to:

be treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice process;
timely disposition of the case following arrest of the accused, provided no right of the accused is abridged;
be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process;
notification of court proceedings;
attend the trial and all other court proceedings the accused has the right to attend, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim’s testimony would be materially affected if he or she hears the testimony;
communicate with the prosecution;
object to or support any plea agreement entered into by the accused and the prosecution and make a statement to the court prior to the acceptance of the guilty plea or nolo contendere by the accused;
make a statement to the court at sentencing;
restitution, which must be enforceable as with any other cause of action or as otherwise provided by law; and
information about the accused’s arrest, conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release (Connecticut Constitution, Article First, § 8(b)).

Victims in Connecticut have rights under state and federal law. Different organizations are responsible for certain rights. These include Municipal and State Police, Office of Victim Services, Office of the State Attorney, Department of Collections, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Court Support Services Divisions. For more information visit the State of Connecticut’s Office of Victim Services website, http://www.jud.ct.gov/crimevictim/

In addition, some cities, towns, and social service agencies provide some services to crime victims, depending on where the crime occurred or the type of crime committed.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON VICTIM SERVICES:

Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries, “Connecticut Law About Victim’s Rights”, website page: http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/Law/victimsrights.htm

2-1-1 list of agencies assisting crime victims: Victim Services – Connecticut

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SOURCE: Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research Report # 2000-R-1065, 2009-R-0288, and 2013-R-0360
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: April2023