NEW HAMPSHIRE CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS

As a victim of a felony crime in New Hampshire, you are entitled to the certain rights under the New Hampshire Crime Victim's Bill of Rights (RSA 21-M:8-K). According to state law, you have the right to:

1. Be treated with fairness and respect for your dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process;
2. Be informed about the criminal justice process and its progress;
3. Be free from intimidation and be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process;
4. Be notified of all court proceedings;
5. Attend all trials and other court proceedings the accused has the right to attend;
6. Confer with the prosecution and to be consulted about the disposition of the case, including plea bargaining;
7. Have inconveniences associated with participation in the criminal justice process minimized;
8. Be notified if presence in court is not required;
9. Be informed about available resources, financial assistance, and social services;
10. Restitution under RSA 651:62-67 or any other applicable state law, or victim's compensation, under RSA 21-M:8-h or any other applicable state law, for your losses;
11. Be provided with a secure, but not necessarily separate, waiting area during court proceedings;
12. Be advised of the progress of the case, and the final disposition;
13. Have your address, place of employment, and other personal information kept confidential;
14. Have your property promptly returned to you once it is no longer needed as evidence;
15. Have input in the probation pre-sentence report impact statement;
16. Appear and make a written or oral victim impact statement at the sentencing of the defendant;
17. Be notified of the date and time of an appeal, have the appeal process explained to you, attend the appeal hearing, and be told the result of the appeal;
18. Be notified of and allowed to attend sentence review hearings and sentence reduction hearings;
19. Be notified of any change of status such as prison release, transfer from one area of the state to another, or escape and the date of the parole board hearing. This right must be requested in writing by you or through your advocate; and
20. Address or submit a written statement for consideration by the parole board on the defendant's release and to be notified of the decision of the board. This right must be requested by you or your advocate.

Victim/Witness Advocates within the Prosecutor's Office will be available to assist in ensuring you these rights. There may also be advocates available for support and information in a limited number of District Courts for misdemeanor crimes.

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