Victim's Rights  Victim's Compensation  Threats  A Victim's Representative

Victim's Rights

You have the right to have the telephone number of the officer assigned to the case, the name, address and telephone number of the Prosecutor assigned to the case. Law enforcement officials are also to notify you of the offender’s arrest, and if the offender is eligible for pre-trial release. They should also provide you with a phone number to call to inquire if the offender has been released.

If your property has been seized as evidence of a crime, it will be safely held until it is no longer needed as evidence. Property seized as evidence may be released by the Prosecutor or by the Court hearing the criminal case against the offender under certain circumstances.

For all felony crimes and certain misdemeanor crimes, you will be notified either orally or in writing of the status of the case. 

After legal action is taken against the offender, you have the right to receive information on the nature of the offense with which the offender has been charged; the file number of the criminal case; a brief explanation of the procedures involved in a criminal prosecution; a brief statement regarding your right to be present during all proceedings held throughout the prosecution of the offender; a summary of your rights as a victim; procedures you may take if you become subject to threats or intimidation; the name of the person to contact for further information regarding the criminal case; and your right to have representation exercising your rights.

Victim's Compensation

A victim of a crime may be entitled to compensation through the courts or through the Ohio Attorney General.  See Victim Compensation page.

If a victim is threatened

If a victim is subjected to threats or intimidation by the accused or any other person, the victim should immediately notify the Prosecutor's Office or the law enforcement agency handling the case. Criminal charges can be filed against individuals who attempt to intimidate victims or witnesses of an actual crime.

Designating a representative 

If 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. This should be done by contacting a Victim Assistance Advocate. At that point there will be no further contact with the victim. Instead, all contact will go through the victim's representative.