Victim Rights

Victim Rights

"Victim" means a person who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of a public offense or a delinquent act, other than a simple misdemeanor, committed in this state. "Victim" also includes the immediate family members of a victim who died or was rendered incompetent as a result of the offense or who was under eighteen years of age at the time of the offense.

• Right to Register for Notification
• Right to Make a Victim Impact Statement (written form or verbally)
• Right to Restitution
• Right to Victim Advocate

Once charges have been filed against a defendant, the County Attorney's Office will send the victim a "victim packet" which will explain each of the above rights in more detail.

Resources

• Crime Victim Compensation
  • The Attorney General's Crime Victim Compensation Program pays certain out-of-pocket expenses for victims as a result of an injury or death from a crime. To learn more about this program and its benefits and to apply, visit the Iowa Attorney General website.
• Automated Notifications through VINELink
  • All crime victims and the public may register with IowaVINE for automated notifications about an offender who is incarcerated in a county jail or in the Iowa Department of Corrections. The notification allows a person to be informed when there is a change in the custody status of an inmate.
  • VINELink
  • Iowa Attorney General - IowaVINE
• IPONDA

  • Automated notifications for Iowa Protective Order Notification for Protective Order Status. The IPONDA service allows victims of domestic violence who obtain an order of protection to be notified when the order has been served against the respondent.

    History shows that the few hours after the respondent has been served the protective order, it is a high risk time for the protected party. IPONDA helps keep protected parties safe by notifying them when the order is served. Like VINE, IPONDA provides victims with means to register for access to information about the status of their protective order

    You can register to receive telephone and/or e-mail notifications from IPONDA on your protective or no contact order. Once a protective order is served or about to expire, IPONDA will automatically call or e-mail you at the number and e-mail address provided.
    
    For information or how to register:

    • https://www.registervpo.com

    • call the IPONDA toll-free line at 1-888-742-8463 (1-888-7-IAVINE)