Seeking Justice through the Criminal Justice System

If you are a victim of crime, you are entitled to many rights and services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Many of these rights and services involve your experience with the criminal justice system and are detailed in the Victim Bill of Rights. This chapter discusses those rights and services. Reading about these rights and services and discussing them with an Advocate can help you to understand what to expect from the criminal justice system if you are involved with a criminal case. An Advocate is an individual from a community based agency or criminal justice agency whose role is to assist victims of crime and educate them about victim rights and services.

This section also contains important information about safety planning, including details about applying for a restraining order. Whether you are involved in a criminal case or not, Advocates can help you take steps to stay safe after a crime.

If the crime against you has not yet been reported to the police, talking with an Advocate might also help you make an informed decision about reporting the crime.