Victim’s Rights

TV screen capture of a road at night with Victim-Services statement at the bottom

This page is also available to download: Victim's Rights Brochure(PDF, 1MB)

Your Rights as a Victim of Crime

U-Visas

Through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000, Congress created the U Visa (U non-immigrant classification) to provide legal status to victims of specified crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal act. The U Visa provides eligible crime victims with nonimmigrant status the ability to temporarily remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement.

Who is eligible for a U Visa? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:

Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity.
Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.
Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.
Additional information can be found through the USCIS.

The Littleton Police Department understands the importance of U Visas to crime victims and is dedicated to review and respond to certification requests. Individuals can email the I-918 Supplement B form to afeist@littletongov.org or mail the form to the Victim Assistance Program at 2255 West Berry Avenue, Littleton, CO 80120.

The Victim Rights Act

To be treated with fairness, respect and dignity;
To be informed of all “critical stages” of the criminal justice process (victims of crime must request notification, in writing, for post-sentencing critical stages);
To be present at specified critical stages in the criminal justice process;
To be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse;
To be informed about what steps can be taken if there is any intimidation or harassment by a person accused or convicted of a crime or anyone acting on that person’s behalf;
To be present and heard regarding bond reduction or modification, acceptance of a plea agreement, sentencing or modification of a sentence;
To consult with the district attorney prior to any disposition of the case or before the case goes to trial and to be informed of the final disposition of the case;
To be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellations, if known in advance;
To prepare a victim impact statement and to be present and/or heard at the sentencing hearing;
To have the court determine restitution and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil judgment against the person convicted of the crime;
To prevent any party at any court proceeding from compelling testimony regarding a victim’s address, telephone number, place of employment or other locating information;
To receive a prompt return of property when it is no longer needed as evidence;
To be provided with appropriate employer intercession services regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials;
To be assured that in any criminal proceeding the court, the prosecutor, and other law enforcement officials will take appropriate action to achieve a swift and fair resolution of the proceedings;
To be informed of the availability of financial assistance and community services;
Whenever practicable, to have a safe, secure waiting area during court proceedings;
To be notified of the referral of an offender to community corrections and to provide a written victim impact statement to the community corrections board and, if permitted by the board, to provide an oral victim impact statement;
Upon written request, to be informed when a person accused or convicted of a crime is released from custody other than the county jail, is paroled, escapes or absconds from probation or parole;
The right to be informed of the filing of a petition to cease sex offender registration;
Upon request, to be informed when a person who is accused or convicted of a crime is released from the custody of the county jail;
Upon written request, to be informed of and heard regarding any reconsideration of sentence, parole or commutation of sentence hearing;
Upon written request, to be informed when a person convicted of a crime against the victim is placed in or transferred to a less secure correctional facility or program or is permanently or conditionally transferred or released from any state hospital;
The right, at the discretion of the district attorney, to view all or a portion of the pre sentence report of the probation department;
To be informed of the results of any court-ordered HIV testing;
To be informed of any rights which the victim has pursuant to the Constitution of the United States or the State of Colorado; and
To be informed of the process for enforcing compliance with the Victim Rights Act.

Additional rights and services are provided to child victims of crime. Law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges are encouraged to designate one or more individuals to try to ensure that the child and his/her family understand the legal proceedings and have support and assistance to deal with the emotional impact of the crime and the subsequent criminal proceedings.

If the victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights are guaranteed to the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, significant other, or other lawful representative.

Covered Crimes

Murder — 1st and 2nd degree;
Manslaughter;
Criminally negligent homicide;
Assault — 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree;
Menacing;
Kidnapping;
Sexual Assault-or sexual assault on a child, by a person in a position of trust, and on a client by a psychotherapist;
Robbery-aggravated, aggravated of a controlled substance;
Incest and aggravated incest;
Child abuse;
Sexual exploitation of children;
Child Prostitution;
Crimes against at-risk adults or at-risk juveniles;
Indecent exposure;
Invasion of privacy for sexual gratification;
Crimes for which the underlying foundation has been determined to be domestic violence;
Careless driving that results in death of another person;
Failure to stop at the scene of an accident that results in death of another person;
Stalking;
A bias-motivated crime;
Retaliation against a victim or witness;
Tampering with a victim or witness;
Intimidation or aggravated intimidation of a victim or witness and;
Human trafficking in adults and children;
Retaliation against a judge;
Retaliation against a juror;
1st degree burglary;
Any criminal attempt, conspiracy, criminal solicitation, or accessory involving any of the crimes specified above.

Law Enforcement Responsibilities

Law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to provide the victim with written information about

The rights enumerated in the Victim Rights Act;
The availability of financial resources such as victim compensation benefits and how to apply for those benefits;
The availability of protective court orders in order to obtain protection from the person accused of committing the crime; and
The availability of public records related to the case.
In addition, law enforcement agencies are required to:
Provide information about community services such as crisis intervention services, victim assistance resources, legal resources, mental health services, financial services and other support services;
Provide information about interpretation services, assistance in dealing with creditors due to financial setbacks caused by the crime, and childcare to enable a crime victim to cooperate with the prosecution;
Provide the victim of crime with the business address and telephone number of the district attorney’s office, the case number, the names and the business address of officers investigating the case;
Keep the victim of crime informed as to whether a suspect has been taken into custody and, if known, whether the suspect has been released from custody and any bond conditions imposed upon the suspect;
Update the victim on the status of the case, prior to the filing of charges;
Upon the request of the victim, return the victim’s property within 5 working days when it is no longer needed for evidentiary reasons;
Inform victims of crime about decisions not to file charges in misdemeanor cases;
Inform all victims of cold cases of any change in the status of the case; and
Upon written request, provide victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than three years with an annual update concerning the status of the case.
Victim Responsibilities:
Keep criminal justice authorities informed of any changes to your name, address, and telephone number;
Provide a written request for notification of any information regarding the post-sentencing process;
For victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than three (3) years, to request in writing an annual update in the status of the case;
To request notification of the release of a person accused or convicted of a crime from the county jail;
To request notification by the court of a defendant’s petition to stop sex offender registration; and
To request that correctional officials keep their address, telephone, place of employment and other personal information confidential.

Victim Responsibilities

Keep criminal justice authorities informed of any changes to your name, address, and telephone number;
Provide a written request for notification of any information regarding the post-sentencing process;
For victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than three (3) years, to request in writing an annual update in the status of the case;
To request notification of the release of a person accused or convicted of a crime from the county jail;
To request notification by the court of a defendant’s petition to stop sex offender registration; and
To request that correctional officials keep their address, telephone, place of employment and other personal information confidential.

How to Ensure Your Victim Rights

What to do if you feel your rights have not been provided to you:
If possible, first attempt to seek compliance at the local level. This may include, but is not limited to:

Contacting the person whom you feel has not provided you with your rights and explaining specifically what has not been done;
Seeking assistance from your victim advocate, or other supportive persons such as a counselor; and
Seeking assistance from the elected official or the head of the agency you feel is not providing you with your rights.

If you feel you are unable to address your concerns at the local level or efforts to resolve your concerns have been unsuccessful, you may request assistance from the Coordinating Committee by contacting the Victim Rights Act Specialist at:

Colorado Department of Public Safety
Division of Criminal Justice
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000
Denver, CO, 80215-5865
303-239-4442
1-888-282-1080 Toll Free

Important Addresses and Phone Numbers

Littleton Police Department

303-794-1551
2255 W. Berry Ave.
Littleton, CO 80120
Victim Services Unit
303-795-3703
victimassistance@littletongov.org

District Attorney 18th Judicial District

District Attorney: 720-874-8500
Victim-Witness: 720-874-8500

6450 South Revere Parkway
Centennial, CO 80111

Douglas County Office

District Attorney: 303-814-7100
Victim Assistance: 303-814-7100

4000 Justice Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109

Victim Compensation for Arapahoe and Douglas Counties

720-874-8500

District Attorney 1st Judicial District

500 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO. 80401

Jefferson County Victim Compensation

303-271-6800

What You Can Do

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime in the City of Littleton, the Littleton Police Department Victim Assistance Program is here to help you. We provide crisis intervention, support, assistance, referrals, and help in understanding what is happening.

At the request of a victim, a victim’s family member, or a police officer, a Victim Advocate can respond to assist victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Advocates will provide you with accurate procedural and factual information concerning the accident or crime and act as liaisons with law enforcement and other community agencies.

Depending upon the circumstances, you may qualify for financial assistance from the Victim Compensation Fund. For more information, contact the Littleton Police Department Victim Assistance Program at 303-795-3703.

Holiday Closures

Contacting the Littleton Police Department