Victims Rights:
Information for Victims and Witnesses
Trial by jury before an impartial judge is perhaps the greatest protection against tyranny in our democratic society. A jury composed of citizens from our community, impaneled to hear evidence, and sworn to return a verdict which speaks the truth, relies upon the testimony of witnesses in its search for truth.
As a victim or a witness, you perform a vital role in aiding the jury to understand those facts of which you have knowledge. Your several appearances in court will undoubtedly be a hardship, but without your help the system could not function. My entire staff will help you in any way possible and we thank you for your cooperation.
Your Duties as a Witness:
You are a witness because you have seen, heard, or know something about a crime. If you are the victim of a violent crime or owner of property stolen, damaged or misused, the case may not be prosecuted unless you testify. You may not think that what you know about the case is significant, but it may be highly important. Many small pieces of information are often required to determine what happened.
To prevent delay and possible dismissal of a case, witnesses must be present when asked to appear. We must be able to contact you, so it is important that you keep our office informed of your present address, telephone numbers and plans you have for vacation. Please give your Victim/Witness Counselor this information as soon as possible.
Tips On Being A Witness:
- Dress neatly and conservatively for Court.
- Do not memorize your testimony, but try to review the facts before the trial.
- Relax, speak loudly and clearly, directing your answers to the jury.
- Be polite when answering questions. Do not lose your temper.
- Listen carefully to each question before answering.
- If you do not understand the question, say so.
- If you do not have an answer, say so. Do not guess.
- If your answer needs an explanation, say so and then explain.
- If you make a mistake in answering a question, say so and correct it.
- Give a well thought out answer.
- Give positive definite answers, avoiding answers such as "I think," "I believe," or "I guess so."
- Do not volunteer information. Give short answers if that is what is called for: "yes" or "no," if that is what is appropriate.
- Do not chew gum on the witness stand.
- Be on your best behavior in and around the courtroom. When court is not in session, jurors may be in the corridors, elevators, etc.
- Do not discuss your testimony with other witnesses.
- Do not make statements to the media prior to or during a trial without first checking with the Assistant State Attorney.
- Tell the truth.
Rights of a Crime Victim:
On January 8, 2019, with the enactment of Revision 1 of Article 1, Section 16, of the Florida Constitution, Section 960.001, Florida Statutes, provides legal rights established for crime victims as follow:
- You have the right to due process and to be treated with fairness and respect for your dignity.
- You have the right to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse.
- You have the right within the judicial process, to be reasonably protected from the accused and any person acting on behalf of the accused.
- You have the right to have your safety and welfare and that of your family considered when bail and conditions of pretrial release are set.
- You have the right to prevent the disclosure of information or records that could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim's family, or which could disclose confidential or privileged information of the victim.
- You have the right to request reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of all public proceedings involving the criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, trial, plea, sentencing, or adjudication.
- You have the right to request the opportunity to be present at all public proceedings involving the criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, trial, plea, sentencing, or adjudication, even if you will be a witness at the proceeding, notwithstanding any rule to the contrary.
- You have the right to request the opportunity to be heard in any public proceeding involving pretrial or other release from any form of legal constraint, plea, sentencing, adjudication, or parole, and any proceeding during which a right of the victim is implicated.
- You have the right to request to confer with the prosecuting attorney concerning any plea agreements, participation in pretrial diversion programs, release, restitution, sentencing, or any other disposition of the case.
- You have the right to provide information regarding the impact of the offender's conduct on you and your family to the individual responsible for conducting any presentence investigation or compiling any presentence investigation report, and to have any such information considered in any sentencing recommendations submitted to the court.
- You have the right to request a copy of any presentence report, and any other report or record relevant to the exercise your victimls rights, except for confidential or exemptions by law.
- You have the right to request to be informed of the conviction, sentence, adjudication, place and time of incarceration, or other disposition of the convicted offender, any scheduled release date of the offender, and the release of or the escape of the offender from custody.
- You have the right to the prompt return of your property when no longer needed as evidence in the case.
- You have the right to full and timely restitution in every case and from each convicted offender for all losses suffered, both directly and indirectly, by you as a result of the criminal conduct.
- You have the right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay, and to a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.
The Victim Witness Program wants to ensure that you are aware of these rights and will assist you along the way. You have a right to be informed of the court process and have input into the outcome of the case, through a Victim Impact Statement. We can assist you with this form.
Victim Compensation Program: 
Bond Hearings
Some defendants will post bond immediately after arrest and will be released. The holding facility is required to notify you of the defendant’s release for certain felony crimes. If you wish to determine if the defendant has been or may be released from custody, you may contact one of the numbers below for custody information:
- Pinellas County 727/464-6369
- Pasco County 727/847-5878 ext. 6070
Return of Property
Upon your request, the police will attempt to return your property to you promptly and substitute photographs in its place unless there is a compelling reason for retaining it until after the trial process is over. Questions may be directed as follows:
- Pinellas County 727/464-6090
- East Pasco County 352/521-4333
- West Pasco County 727/847-8158
Dress Requirements
Subpoenas and notifications will remind you that you are required to dress appropriately for the courtroom. Although we live in a casual atmosphere here in Florida, proper attire is required in Court. For example, tank tops or shorts would be inappropriate. Courtrooms are usually quite cool, so you may want to bring a light jacket or sweater. If you have any questions about what to wear, please feel free to call the Victim/Witness Management Team at
727/464-6090.
Deaf Victims / Witnesses
Should a deaf or hard of hearing person need to contact this office weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., they may use a relay service to call Victim/Witness for assistance at 727/464-6090. After hours, they may use a relay service to communicate with our office through our twenty-four hour number, 727/464-6221.
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