When You Are The Victim
Crime Victims Act 201 — the rights of a victim, from notice of bail to comment on the sentence
Information and notice. Victims of crime have the right to basic information about services for victims, and to notice of significant actions in their case, including the grant or denial of bail to an adult and any escape before trial and recapture.
In the courtroom. A victim may not be excluded from any criminal proceeding unless the court finds, on the record, that the victim's testimony would be materially altered by hearing other testimony. A victim may be accompanied at proceedings by a family member, a victim advocate, or another support person.
Comment before decisions. In personal injury crimes and burglary, the victim may submit prior comment to the prosecutor on reducing or dropping a charge or changing a plea. A victim may comment before sentencing, including a written and oral victim impact statement.
Restitution, and property. A victim has the right to be restored, to the extent possible, to their economic position before the crime, through restitution, compensation, and the prompt return of property held as evidence once it is no longer needed.
After the sentence. In personal injury crimes, a victim may comment on and receive state release decisions such as parole, and receive immediate notice of an escape and recapture.
Other sections of the same law, regulations, and the court's or school's own rules are not on this page. How it applies to a particular case is a question for a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Crime Victims Act 201 — Rights of victims of crime
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.