Victims' Rights in Texas

1. The rights to protection from threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts.
2. The right to have your safety and that of your family taken into consideration when bail is being considered.
3. If you so request, the right to be informed in advance about court proceedings, including cancellations or rescheduling.
4. If you so request, the right to information about procedures in the criminal investigations of your case by law enforcement officials, and about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea bargaining, restitution, appeals, and parole from the prosecutor’s office.
5. The right to receive information about the Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund that provides financial assistance to victims of violent crimes and, if you so request, referral to social service agencies that may provide additional help.
6. The right to provide information to the probation department conducting a pre-sentence investigation on the impact of the crime.
7. The right to have a law enforcement agency pay for medical examinations for victims of sexual assault and, request the right to counseling regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for sexual assault victims.
8. If you so request, the right to be notified of parole proceedings by the Victim Services Section of the Pardons and Paroles Division, the right to participate in the parole process by submitting a victim impact statement or other information, and the right to be notified of the inmate’s release.
9. The right to be present at all public court proceedings, if the presiding judge permits.
10. The right to a safe waiting area before and during court proceedings.
11. The right to prompt return of any property that is no longer required as evidence.
12. If you so request, the right to have the prosecutor notify your employer that the need for your testimony may involve your absence from work.
13. The right to complete a Victim Impact Statement, detailing the emotional, physical and financial impact that the crime has had on you and your family, and to have that statement considered by the judge at sentencing and by the parole board prior to taking any parole action.
14. A victim of a sexual offense may choose a pseudonym to be used instead of the victim’s name to designate the victim in all public files and records concerning the offense.