Your Rights As A Victim

Victim Information

We realize that for many persons being a victim or witness to a crime is their first experience with the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. As a victim or witness, you have certain rights within the system. This webpage is being provided to assist with questions you may have regarding those rights.  For further information regarding these rights, please contact the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency (LEA) handling your case.

Who is a Victim?

“A victim is a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or delinquent act or against whom the crime or delinquent act is committed.  The term victim includes the victim’s lawful representative, the parent or guardian of a minor, or the next of kin of a homicide victim, except upon a showing that the interest of such individual would be in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the victim. The term “victim” does not include the accused.”  Article I, Section 16 (b) (11), Florida Constitution.

Helpful Links

VINE is a free service that allows you to anonymously check on an offender’s custody status by phone, website, or mobile app. You can also register to receive automated notifications about changes in custody status by phone, email, text, or mobile app. TTY (hearing impaired) service is also available. Visit the VINE website for helpful downloads and tutorials.

Supporting Documents

Community Resources

Victim Advocate

Early Victim Engagement (EVE) Program

Harbor House of Central Florida is a non-profit agency committed to providing a variety of confidential services to survivors of Domestic Violence and their children, as well as providing education and resources to the Central Florida community. We provide the following services free of charge for the survivor and their children:

  • Advocacy, information and referrals
  • Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning
  • Court accompaniment, emotional support and assistance
  • Information on how to apply for injunctions against Domestic, Dating, Stalking or Sexual Violence
  • Confidential, safe shelter housing
  • Support groups, prevention programs, educational classes and case management
  • Children's Services

If you are in a crisis and need immediate attention, you may call the Harbor House of Central Florida's 24-hour hotline at 407-886-2856. If you are in an emergency situation, please dial 911. 

What is Early Victim Engagement (EVE)?

The Early Victim Engagement (EVE) Program was created in collaboration with Orange County Government and Harbor House to identify high lethality cases, make contact with survivors/victims in the case in order to reduce domestic violence homicides in Florida by providing intensive advocacy with a coordinated community response (i.e. law enforcement and the criminal court process).

EVE advocates seek to address survivors' safety concerns, to offer advocacy and services and to meet face to face with survivors. 

EVE advocates provide and/or assist with the following services:

  • Crisis counseling
  • Case management
  • Victim compensation
  • Safety planning
  • Injunction process, including access to IFP, Injunction For Protection, Attorneys
  • Victim Information and Notifications Everyday (VINE) Program
  • Violations of injunctions/ criminal no-contact orders

Referrals for Early Victim Engagement services are made by Law Enforcement and the State Attorney's Office. There are three locations in the county, the Apopka Police Department, the Booking and Release Center, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.