When You Are The Victim
ORS 147.417 and ORS 147.015 — notice of constitutional rights, and a compensation claim within one year
Told of the rights. As soon as reasonably practicable in a criminal case with a victim, the law enforcement agency notifies the person who reasonably appears to be the victim of the rights the Oregon Constitution gives crime victims, orally or in writing, including any deadline for a right that depends on a request. The district attorney checks that this was done and gives the notice if it was not.
- Notice from the district attorney of the rights the section describes.
- Notice from the Attorney General when the case is appealed.
- Notice when the conviction is challenged in post-conviction proceedings or DNA testing.
- Attending public appellate hearings in the case.
- Reasonable protection from the offender at any related appellate or post-conviction proceeding.
Those rights belong, on request made to the district attorney before judgment, to victims in cases involving a person felony, a person Class A misdemeanor, first degree burglary, a sex crime, or an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit one.
Compensation within one year. A victim, or a survivor or dependent of a deceased victim, may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Justice if law enforcement was notified of the crime, the claim is not collusive, the victim acted reasonably, and the application is filed within one year of the injury or a further time the department allows for good cause. A protective order or a medical assessment for sexual assault can satisfy the notification requirement.
A failure to notify the victim is not grounds to set aside a conviction. Restitution, the victim's right to be heard at sentencing and the amounts of compensation are set out elsewhere and are not on this page. Questions about a particular case are for the district attorney or a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- ORS 147.417 — Victim to be notified of constitutional rights
- ORS 147.433 — Rights afforded upon request
- ORS 147.015 — Eligibility for compensation generally
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.