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Victims’ Rights Pamphlet

Download 'Your Rights as a Crime Victim' Pamphlet
(409 KB PDF)

Descargar 'Sus Derechos como víctima de un Delito'
(370 KB PDF)

Victim Rights

Message From the Police Chief

Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan “The Phoenix Police Department is committed to providing justice and support to victims of crime. It is one of the primary reasons the law enforcement profession exists. Victims of crime have certain legal rights and the Department strives to provide community members with information, resources, and support to assure those rights are protected.

The Phoenix Police Department has created a Victim Information Portal to provide our community members with the quality service they deserve. This portal will help crime victims obtain timely, accurate information regarding case status and notification of arrest.

Please take the time to read the information provided on this site to help you understand your rights and gain access to the information you need during the judicial process.” —Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan

Get Case Updates by Signing Up in the Victim Information Portal

Victim Information Portal Preview

Victim Rights If you are a crime victim, register with the Victim Information Portal to be notified of your case status.

What can I access within the Portal?

You will be able to view the status of your case. You also have the ability to register a phone number and/or email address to be notified automatically when an offender in your case is arrested or other details. You can access the Portal 24/7.

The automated system does not notify you of all of your rights. It is a tool to assist us in providing you with timely arrest information or other details. The Portal is updated in near real-time.

Victims’ Resources

Victim Rights Victims have rights. The City of Phoenix and Maricopa County can assist you depending on the type of crime.

Phoenix Family Advocacy Center

The Phoenix Family Advocacy Center (FAC) provides comprehensive services to major crime victims of domestic and sexual violence, homicide, and other violent crimes. In addition the FAC takes a leadership role in educating the community about the impact of violence.

City of Phoenix Victims Services Center

As a victim of a crime, you have certain legal rights. The Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office has a Victim Services Unit for misdemeanor crimes and an online Crime Victim Services Center to support you. The Crime Victim Services Center can provide information and support regarding the criminal process.

Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division

If you are a victim of a felony crime, please contact the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Division at 602-506-8522 or visit their website.

Adult Sex Crimes Cold Case Squad

The Adult Sex Crimes Cold Case Squad is responsible for any sexual assault case that remains unsolved for one or more years after being reported and has no viable or unexplored investigative leads. In addition, this unit provides the victim or victim family members with an opportunity to register for the Adult Sex Crimes Cold Case Registry.

Property Crimes

The mission of the Property Crimes Bureau is to enhance the overall quality of life in our community by addressing property related crimes through community awareness, education, and the utilization of quality based investigative techniques.

Other Resources

Local Shelter (24 hour hotline) 602-263-8900

Shelter Hotlines 800-799-7739 OR 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)

Information and Referral 602-263-8856 or 800-352-3792

National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 Hour) 800-799-7233 (SAFE)

Arizona Legal Advocacy Hotline 800-782-6400 or 602-279-2900

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Review answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

The suspect was arrested … what happens now?

Answer: If the suspect was arrested and booked into jail, he or she will appear before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest. This is called the Initial Appearance. During this hearing the judge decides whether the suspect should be released and, if so, under what conditions. See below for more information about the Initial Appearance.

Do I have a say about whether the suspect is released?

Answer: IF THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO JAIL, he or she will appear before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest this is known as the Initial Appearance. THE DEFENDANT MAY BE RELEASED. You have a right to be heard as to whether the defendant should be released and the terms of the release, including whether the defendant should return home in domestic violence cases, whether he or she should stay away from an address or have no contact with you, and whether he or she should be ordered to not possess a weapon or to not consume any alcohol or drugs.

The suspect hasn’t been arrested … what happens now?

Answer: If the suspect was cited by the officer, but not taken into custody, he or she will be required to appear before a judge within a few weeks at a hearing known as an Arraignment. At that time, the judge will decide whether he or she should be taken into custody or be required to post a bond to ensure his appearance for other hearings. In addition, the court will make determinations about the terms of his release.

As far as I know, the suspect hasn’t even been cited: now what?

Answer: You should be notified by the police of an arrest or of the issuance of a citation. If you have not been notified, you should contact the detective detail at 602-262-6141. You do not need an attorney to participate in the process. If you would like to have an attorney to represent you, you can hire one at your own expense. Your attorney will be permitted to attend all bench conferences and in chamber meetings about victim rights issues.

Victims’ Bill of Rights

Victim Rights A. To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process, a victim of crime has a right:

To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal justice process.
To be informed, upon request, when the accused or convicted person is released from custody or has escaped.
To be present at and, upon request, to be informed of all criminal proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.
To be heard at any proceeding involving a post-arrest release decision, a negotiated plea, and sentencing.
To refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request by the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or other person acting on behalf of the defendant.
To confer with the prosecution, after the crime against the victim has been charged, before trial or before any disposition of the case, and to be informed of the disposition.
To read pre-sentence reports relating to the crime against the victim when they are available to the defendant.
To receive prompt restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the victim's loss or injury.
To be heard at any proceeding when any post-conviction release from confinement is being considered.
To a speedy trial or disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.
To have all rules governing criminal procedure and the admissibility of evidence in all criminal proceedings protect victims' rights and to have these rules be subject to amendment or repeal by the legislature to ensure the protection of these rights.
To be informed of victims' constitutional rights.

B. A victim's exercise of any right granted by this section shall not be grounds for dismissing any criminal proceeding or setting aside any conviction or sentence.

C. "Victim" means a person against whom the criminal offense has been committed or, if the person is killed or incapacitated, the person's spouse, parent, child, or other lawful representative, except if the person is in custody for an offense or is the accused.

D. The legislature, or the people by initiative or referendum, have the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to define, implement, preserve, and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section, including the authority to extend any of these rights to juvenile proceedings.

E. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights for victims shall not be construed to deny or disparage others granted by the legislature or retained by victims.

Arizona Constitution / Article 2: Declaration of Rights / Section 2.1: Victims' Bill of Rights

For more information on your victims' rights, please refer to your victims' rights pamphlet. If you did not receive one either at the time of the crime or through the mail, please call the Victim Services Unit at 602-261-8192 to request one.

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