Victim Rights and Assistance

The Boulder Police Department is sorry to learn that you have been the victim of a crime. This experience may have created stress, fear, and confusion for you, and we would like to offer our help with any problems you may be experiencing as a result of this crime. If you are a victim of one of the crimes listed on this webpage, your rights are guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution. This webpage is designed to inform you of your rights and to help you exercise those rights. As a victim of crimes not currently covered under the Victim Rights Act, this webpage may be of assistance in answering questions.

If a victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights may be exercised by the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, significant other, or lawful representative.

Please feel free to call Victim Services Unit with any questions you have to talk with someone about your concerns.

City of Boulder Police Department
1805 33rd Street, Boulder CO

After the court proceedings have been completed, you can contact Property and Evidence with your case report number and request your property back. If your property is no longer needed as evidence and is not contraband, you can make an appointment with the Evidence Technician to get your property back.

If the suspect in your case has been arrested in the City of Boulder or in Boulder County, you will be registered in VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday, 888-263-8463, or at the VINE website).

Colorado VINE is a proactive, free, and anonymous notification system that sends you an automatic alert anytime an offender’s custody status changes. When contacted by VINE the PIN number to stop notifications is 1111. For safety, VINE is offered for anyone and registration can be done by following the directions on the website.

If the suspect in your case is arrested outside Boulder County, you will be notified by the jurisdiction where the suspect is being held. Correctional officials will keep confidential the addresses, phone numbers, places of employment, or other personal information about the victim or the victim’s immediate family. For weekend court information select "Boulder Jail Intake" or search the 20th Judicial District at the State of Colorado Courts website.

To get a copy of your crime, accident, or incident report, call Records and Information Services, or come to the Boulder Police Department, 1805 33rd Street. Allow at least 24 hours for reports to be forwarded to Records and Information Services and available for release. In some cases, reports may require up to 72 hours to be released.

Occasionally, state laws restrict release of certain types of crime reports. Call Records and Information Services to find out if you can get your specific report.

If you are a victim or witness whose crime is listed on the last page of this brochure, you have the right to have your address and social security number redacted from the police report.

If there has been an arrest in your case, you can get information about the crime with which the defendant has been charged, bond information (the conditions under which the defendant can be released), and the next court date by calling the

• Twentieth Judicial District Attorney’s Victim/Witness at 303-441-3700
  Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• After hours and on weekends call the Boulder County Jail Booking at 303-441-4650.

Intimidation, harassment, and stalking are crimes. If you are being intimidated, harassed, or stalked, or if you feel you are in danger at any time, please call 911. Also available are:

Protection Orders

A judge can issue a criminal or civil protection order in which a person can have no contact with you. If this is in place and the person contacts you, he or she may be arrested. For information on how to obtain a protection order, call 303-441-3775.

Extra Patrol

A victim may ask for officers to drive by their residence or workplace during their shifts, between other calls. While doing this, officers will look for suspicious activity. To request extra patrol call 303-441-3315 Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If no answer, for after hours or on weekends call 303-441-3333.

Release of Public Record

As a crime victim, you may be feeling less in control of your life, as well as less trusting. This is normal. Colorado Public Record laws regarding a charged defendant’s right to discovery can make being a victim even more traumatic by adding to this feeling of less control. You may call the police Records and Information Services Department and ask about the public records policy as it pertains to your case. They can explain which part of your report may or may not be released, to whom and under what circumstances. Questions regarding release of victim information after your case goes to the DA’s Office, may be asked by calling the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Office at 303-441-3700.

Crime prevention suggestions about how to be safer and make your home more secure are available by calling the Community Service Office at 303-441-3322.

The Victim Services Unit is available to provide advocacy with landlords, referrals for self-defense courses, and available to discuss your concerns.

Listen carefully and spend time with the traumatized person. Do what you can to help the person feel safe and remind them that confusing emotions are normal.

Offer assistance with specific tasks or errands (the victim often feels unfocused and unable to make decisions about tasks to be accomplished). Patiently offer options without taking control. Reestablishing control is an important part of the healing process for the victim.

A traumatized person is not comforted by statements such as, “You are lucky it wasn’t worse” and may feel blamed by questions like, “Why were you there?” Instead, say that you are sorry such an event has occurred. Reassure the victim that it was not his or her fault. Ask for help in understanding how the victim feels and what you can do to help.

Help the victim find resources and show support by accompanying him or her to any criminal justice proceedings.

Even if you were not the direct victim, remember that people who care about victims often become co-victims emotionally. Find people who can support and listen to you. Ask for help when you need it. The Victim Services Unit can be a helpful resource for you also.

Remember, each victim and co-victim experiences the consequences of crime and trauma differently. Try to be patient with the different ways in which each person copes and the different rate at which we all heal.

The initial shock following a crime, sudden death, or other trauma is a harsh and painful reality for everyone involved. Some normal reactions are:

• Shock and disbelief; numbness
• Unwanted memories
• Anxiety or panicky feelings
• Feeling ‘lost’ or ‘out of it’
• Irritability (angry or near tears)
• Blaming or doubting oneself, thoughts like, “If only I had”
• Nightmares; sleep disturbances
• Feeling responsible for what happened
• Loss of appetite
• Crying for ‘no apparent reason’
• Re-living the trauma (flashbacks)
• Problems concentrating
• Depression and sadness
• Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Disruption of family life
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Unexplained headaches, nausea, or physical pain

After some time has passed, it is possible to experience a normal life after a crime or tragedy. As most people work through their feelings about the event, they begin to accept that they did the best they could under the circumstances, and have renewed energy to focus on their lives again.

If you are:

• A victim of a violent crime
• A dependent of a deceased victim, or
• A person authorized to act on behalf of a victim

You may be eligible to apply for Victim Compensation. To qualify for expenses or damages, the crime must have occurred in Boulder County and reported to law enforcement. Call Victim Compensation at 303-682-6801. You may also file a claim online at the Victim Compensation website.

A victim can be compensated for:

• Medical Expenses
• Mental Health Expenses
• Lost Wages
• Loss of Support to Dependents
• Residential Property Damage to Exterior Windows, Locks, and Doors
• Funeral Expenses

Property damage or loss is usually not a covered expense.

In some cases, the court orders the defendant to pay restitution to the victim to cover crime related property loss, damages, and expenses. Call the Restitution Unit at 303-441-3700. Eligible persons are:

• Victims of a crime that occurred in Boulder County who reported the crime to a law enforcement agency.
• Victims of international terrorism who are Boulder County Residents.
• Boulder County residents who are victims of compensable crimes in countries with no compensation program.

Victim Services with the Boulder Police Department can answer questions Monday through Friday. Victim Advocates assist police officers in providing information, support and referrals. To speak to an advocate after hours or on the weekend call 303-441-3333.

After a crime, victims and witnesses often feel alone, isolated, helpless, and unable to reach out for assistance. A victim advocate can help victims and witnesses by providing the following services:

Crisis Intervention and Follow-Up

Advocates can assist you in sorting through the confusing feelings you may be experiencing right after the crime, as well as later on.

Advocates can help you regain control by helping you to manage one part of the problem at a time.

Resources and Referral

Advocates can use both your own resources and community resources to help you build a strong network of support.

Many resources are available in the community, including, but not limited to: services for victims with special needs, counseling, community service agencies, transportation, child care, household assistance, assistance in dealing with creditors and translation services. Advocates can make contact with these resources or give you the information you need to contact them.

Advocates can help make necessary arrangements to aid you through the immediate crisis.

Advocates can give information about the accident or crime and what to expect from the criminal justice system. They can also act as a contact within the law enforcement agency.

If you are experiencing trouble with your employer as a result of the crime, advocates can talk with your employer on your behalf.

For help and support call Victim Services Unit, Boulder Police.

Victims and witnesses of the crimes listed have a right to:

• Be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse.
• Be informed about what steps can be taken for protection against intimidation and harm, and to be informed of the existence of a criminal protection order, and upon request of the victim, information about provisions that may be added or modified and the process for requesting such modifications.
• The right to have your social security number excluded or redacted from a criminal justice document or record created or compiled as a result of a criminal investigation when the document or record is released to anyone other than the victim, the defense attorney of record, the defense attorney’s agent, or a criminal justice agency that has duties under this article.
• Be kept informed about various phases of their case, including release of the suspect on bond, investigation, filing of charges, prosecution, trial, and sentencing; upon written request, be provided an annual update of cold cases for which the statute of limitations is longer than 3 years.
• Be present and provide information and input written, in person, or by phone if unavailable to appear, into the criminal justice process, especially at key points such as bond hearings, plea bargaining, sentencing, and parole release hearings, and to be informed of the results of a probation and parole revocation hearings.
• Restitution as a condition of sentencing or another civil remedy such as a civil lawsuit.
• At the discretion of the District Attorney, to view all or a portion of the pre-sentence report of the probation department.
• The quick return of their property used for evidence when it is no longer needed.
• Notification from officials about arrest, release of defendants, time and location of legal proceedings, time and location of trials, continuances or delays in trial proceedings, sentencing and parole hearings.
• Be informed about eligibility for victim compensation and the right to be helped in completing application forms in a timely manner, when applicable.
• Employee intercession (A person cannot be fired or displaced from a job for participating in an investigation or court process).
• Information about victim assistance and other community resources.
• A quick and fair resolution.
• To be informed of the results of any HIV testing that is ordered and performed.
• If a victim is contacted by anyone working on behalf of the Defendant’s legal team, they have the right to be informed of that person’s name and the fact that they are working for the Defendant. It is the choice of the victim whether they speak with a representative of the Defendant’s legal team.
• Receive information concerning any change in the status of a “Cold Case” and, upon written request, shall be provided an update at least annually.
• The right to be informed of any request for progression from the state mental hospital on behalf of a person in its custody as a result of a criminal case involving the victim, and the right to be heard at any hearing which a court considered such a request.
• The right to be informed of the decision of the governor to commute or pardon a person convicted of a crime against the victim before such information is publicly disclosed.
• The right to be informed by law enforcement of how the victim may request notification of the offender’s change of status from jail.
• Upon request, to be notified that forensic medical evidence has been submitted to a crime lab for testing, results have been received, and if DNA was obtained, wither or not there are match to DNA profiles in state or federal databases.
• Upon request, to be informed at least 60 days prior to the destruction of forensic medical evidence connected with a sexual offense and the right to file an objection of evidence with law enforcement.
• To be heard by phone or similar technology when a victim cannot appear in court.
• To have a safe, secure waiting area during court proceedings.
• To be informed of the steps that can be taken by a victim/witness, including information regarding protection services, in case there is any intimidation or harassment by a person accused or convicted of a crime against the victim, or any other person acting on behalf of the the accused or convicted.
• To be informed of the process for enforcing compliance with the Victims Rights Act.

After a suspect has been convicted of a crime against the victim, state and local correctional authorities must notify the victim of:

• The institution where the person is incarcerated or otherwise being held.
• The projected release date of the person.
• Any release of the person including furlough, work release, or community corrections in advance of the projected release date.
• Scheduled parole hearing for the person and any changes in hearing schedules.
• Any escape of the person from a correctional facility, program, or state hospital and any subsequent recapture.
• A permanent transfer/placement in a non- secured facility.
• Any release or discharge from confinement of the person and the conditions of that release.
• Any decision by the parole board to release such person or any decision by the governor to commute the sentence of such person or pardon such person.
• The death of the person while in a correctional facility or program.
• DNA testing ordered or performed to determine innocence of the person incarcerated.
• Correctional officials will keep confidential the addresses, phone numbers, places of employment, or other personal information about the victim or the victim’s immediate family.

Following a sentence to probation and upon the written request of a victim, the probation department shall notify the victim of the following information regarding any person who was charged with or convicted of a crime against the victim:

• The location and telephone number of the probation department responsible for the supervision of the person;
• The date of the person’s termination from probation supervision;
• Any release of the person in advance of the originally imposed sentence;
• Any probation revocation or modification hearing regarding the person and any changes in the scheduling of the hearing;
• Any change of venue, jurisdiction, or transfer of probation supervision from one jurisdiction to another;
• Any complaint, summons, or warrant filed by the probation department for failure to report to probation or because the location of a person convicted of a crime is unknown; and
• The death of the person while under the jurisdiction of the probation department.

Victim Services, Boulder Police Department

Along with providing advocacy and support, we can refer you to a variety of additional resources to meet your specific needs.

Medical

24-Hour Statewide Crisis Line

Other Services

Criminal Justice System

The constitution of the State of Colorado and the laws of this state guarantee rights to victims of the following crimes:

• Aggravated intimidation of a victim or witness
• Any crime against at-risk adults and at-risk juveniles
• Any crime which includes an act of domestic violence
• Arson – 1st degree
• Assault – 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree, vehicular
• Careless driving resulting in death
• Child abuse
• Crimes involving child prostitution
• Criminal invasion of privacy
• Criminally negligent homicide and vehicular homicide
• Bias motivated; Harassment Bias motivated; Harassment - ethnic intimidation
• False reporting of an emergency that is a Bias motivated crime
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury
• Burglary – 1st and 2nd degree of a dwelling
• Hit and Run resulting in death or serious bodily injury
• Human trafficking in adults and children
• Incest – aggravated incest
• Indecent exposure
• Intimidating a victim or witness - Aggravated Intimidation of a victim or witness
• Invasion of privacy
• Invasion of privacy for sexual gratification
• Involuntary servitude
• Kidnapping – 1st and 2nd degree
• Manslaughter
• Menacing
• Murder – 1st and 2nd degree
• Posting a private image for harassment or pecuniary gain
• Retaliation against a judge, juror, prosecutor, or elected official
• Retaliation against a victim or witness
• Robbery – aggravated, aggravated of a controlled substance
• Sexual Assault – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, unlawful sexual contact, on a child, on a child by one in a position of trust, on a client by a psychotherapist
• Sexual exploitation of children
• Stalking
• Tampering with a victim or a witness
• Violation of a Protection Order in a sexual assault case; in a case of stalking
• Any criminal attempt, conspiracy, criminal solicitation, or any accessory to a crime involving any of the crimes above

News media may wish to interview you regarding this incident. You have the right to refuse interviews. If you choose to give an interview, please call your investigating officer. You will be given important advice to protect the investigation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a victim:

• Call the Boulder Police Department Victim Services Unit or the District Attorney’s Office 303-441-3700.

If all local efforts to obtain your rights have failed, you may request assistance from the Governor’s Victims Coordinating Committee. For additional information:

• Call the Office for Victim’s Programs at the Division of Criminal Justice 303-239-4497 or 888-282-1080.