Victim & Family Resources
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…More Information about Criminal Defendants
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…More Information about Victim Impact Statements