Victim & Family Resources

Crime Victim Rights Statutes

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Criminal Defendants

A person arrested and charged with a crime is the defendant in a criminal court case. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, either by their decision to plead guilty or by a verdict of guilty rendered by a judge or jury at the end of a trial. Criminal defendants have the right to hire a licensed attorney of their…
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Victim Impact Statements

Under Louisiana law, crime victims or their designated family members are permitted to inform the court of the effects a crime has had upon them. Such Victim Impact Statements generally are heard by the judge after a defendant’s conviction and before the defendant is sentenced. If the victim or designated family member has made such a request through an OPDA…
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