Your rights in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems

If you are a victim of a crime or a witness because you have seen, heard, or know something about a crime that has been committed, you are important to the case. Your testimony may be necessary to establish the facts. Understandably, you might feel anxious about testifying in court. However, without  your testimony the defendant might go unpunished. VICTIM – A person against whom a crime was committed. Some victims suffer physical injury or property damage, and some have psychological injury. Victims have certain rights in Florida. Others who can claim these rights are the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, and the next of kin of a homicide victim.

Click here to view your rights as a victim of a crime.

Click here for Marsy’s Law information.

The State Attorney’s Office commitment is to provide professional, effective, and equal services to all individuals regardless of their ability to read, write, or  speak English. Our agency has developed a plan to provide services for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Please contact the State Attorney’s Victim Services Program for services by phone, in person or for a copy of the LEP plan.

 

If you believe you were wrongfully denied access to services or discriminated against:

 

1.  Inform the person who denied access to services that you believe they wrongfully denied you services and why you believe that is the case.

2.  Ask to speak to a manager, immediately.

3.  You may submit your complaint/grievance in writing or verbally.  Direct your concern to Francine Donnorummo,  Director of Victims Services. Include the following information:

1.  What service were you denied?
2.  What were you told was the reason you were denied service?
3.  What person denied you services?
4.  What was the date you were denied service?

 

In addition to the above actions, discrimination complaints may also be filed externally with the state and federal government.

 

 Assistant Staff Director for Civil Rights

1317 Winewood Boulevard

Building 1, Room 110

Tallahassee, FL  32399-0700

850-487-1901

 

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Executive Director

2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100

Tallahassee, FL  32301-4857

850-488-7082

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775 or 404 562-7881

TDD 404-331-2867

 

US Department of Justice

Coordination & Review Section

Civil Rights Division

P.O. Box 66118

Washington, DC  20035-6118

202-514-0301 or 202 514-4609

202-514-0711 (TD)