When You Are The Victim
Fla. Stat. 960.001 — the guidelines for fair treatment of victims and witnesses
Guidelines the agencies follow. The section sets guidelines for the fair treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems, and assigns each to the agencies that carry it out. Among them:
- Notice as soon as possible of any scheduling change that affects a victim's or witness's appearance.
- Prompt advance notification of judicial proceedings, and of the right to be present, to the victim, the parent or guardian of a minor victim, or a relative of a homicide victim.
- The prompt return of a victim's property held as evidence, unless there is a compelling law enforcement reason for keeping it.
- On request, help informing an employer that cooperating in the prosecution may require absence from work.
- Information about the right to request and receive restitution, and about enforcing a restitution order.
- Information about the right to submit an oral or written impact statement, with help preparing it if necessary.
- Transportation, parking, separate pretrial waiting areas and translator services in attending court, as practicable.
Several of these rights apply only on request, or only to the offenses the section names. How they apply in a particular case is a question for a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 960.001 — Guidelines for fair treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.