Duties to Victims

The Victim Bill of Rights outlines a Probation Officer’s responsibilities to victims. These rights include:

• the right to consult with the probation officer prior to the filing of a report to the judge with sentence recommendations (called a presentence report)
• the right to receive a copy of the schedule of restitution payments and the name and phone number of the probation officer responsible for supervising the offender’s payment
• the right to receive notice from the probation officer and be heard at any hearing about possible changes to the restitution order
• the right to request confidentiality of victim information such as home address, telephone number, place of employment or school
• the right to expect a probation officer to assure that victims are afforded these rights

Access to any other probation information is limited and controlled by law. Please contact the probation department if you are seeking access to this confidential information.

Probation officers are responsible for monitoring an offender’s payments, which are made to the probation department, and for ensuring that the victim then receives a check for any restitution paid by the offender.

If you are scheduled to receive restitution but have not received it, contact the probation officer supervising the offender. Also, if the offender is seeking to modify a restitution order, the Victim Bill of Rights mandates that the supervising probation officer notify you of the proposed change. The law also gives you the right to be heard at any hearing on this issue.