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Victim Rights
Message From the Police Chief
“The Phoenix Police Department is committed to providing justice and support to victims of crime. It is one of the primary reasons the law enforcement profession exists. Victims of crime have certain legal rights and the Department strives to provide community members with information, resources, and support to assure those rights are protected.
The Phoenix Police Department has created a Victim Information Portal to provide our community members with the quality service they deserve. This portal will help crime victims obtain timely, accurate information regarding case status and notification of arrest.
Please take the time to read the information provided on this site to help you understand your rights and gain access to the information you need during the judicial process.” —Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan
Victims' Resources
The Phoenix Family Advocacy Center (FAC) provides comprehensive services to major crime victims of domestic and sexual violence, homicide, and other violent crimes. In addition the FAC takes a leadership role in educating the community about the impact of violence.
Sexual crimes have a devastating and long-term impact on individuals and families. An assault can be traumatizing and result in a range of acute and chronic mental health problems, physical injuries, pregnancy, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) to victims.
In an effort to raise public awareness about sexual crimes and emphasize the importance of receiving a medical forensic exam following an assault, a coordinated team of experts from the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, and HonorHealth (including sex crimes investigators, forensic nurse examiners, forensic scientists, prosecutors, and victim advocates) have contributed their expertise and guidance in developing this webpage.
As a victim of a crime, you have certain legal rights. The Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office has a Victim Services Unit for misdemeanor crimes and an online Crime Victim Services Center to support you. The Crime Victim Services Center can provide information and support regarding the criminal process.
If you are a victim of a felony crime, please contact the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Division at 602-506-8522 or visit their website.
The Adult Sex Crimes Cold Case Squad is responsible for any sexual assault case that remains unsolved for one or more years after being reported and has no viable or unexplored investigative leads. In addition, this unit provides the victim or victim family members with an opportunity to register for the Adult Sex Crimes Cold Case Registry.
The mission of the Property Crimes Bureau is to enhance the overall quality of life in our community by addressing property related crimes through community awareness, education, and the utilization of quality based investigative techniques.
Local Shelter (24 hour hotline) 602-263-8900
Shelter Hotlines 800-799-7739 OR 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Information and Referral 602-263-8856 or 800-352-3792
National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 Hour) 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline 800-782-6400 or 602-279-2900 text/SMS: 520-720-3383
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Answer: If the suspect was arrested and booked into jail, he or she will appear before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest. This is called the Initial Appearance. During this hearing the judge decides whether the suspect should be released and, if so, under what conditions. See below for more information about the Initial Appearance.
Answer: IF THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO JAIL, he or she will appear before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest this is known as the Initial Appearance. THE DEFENDANT MAY BE RELEASED. You have a right to be heard as to whether the defendant should be released and the terms of the release, including whether the defendant should return home in domestic violence cases, whether he or she should stay away from an address or have no contact with you, and whether he or she should be ordered to not possess a weapon or to not consume any alcohol or drugs.
Answer: If the suspect was cited by the officer, but not taken into custody, he or she will be required to appear before a judge within a few weeks at a hearing known as an Arraignment. At that time, the judge will decide whether he or she should be taken into custody or be required to post a bond to ensure his appearance for other hearings. In addition, the court will make determinations about the terms of his release.
Answer: You should be notified by the police of an arrest or of the issuance of a citation. If you have not been notified, you should contact the detective detail at 602-262-6141. You do not need an attorney to participate in the process. If you would like to have an attorney to represent you, you can hire one at your own expense. Your attorney will be permitted to attend all bench conferences and in chamber meetings about victim rights issues.
A. To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process, a victim of crime has a right:
- To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal justice process.
- To be informed, upon request, when the accused or convicted person is released from custody or has escaped.
- To be present at and, upon request, to be informed of all criminal proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.
- To be heard at any proceeding involving a post-arrest release decision, a negotiated plea, and sentencing.
- To refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request by the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or other person acting on behalf of the defendant.
- To confer with the prosecution, after the crime against the victim has been charged, before trial or before any disposition of the case, and to be informed of the disposition.
- To read pre-sentence reports relating to the crime against the victim when they are available to the defendant.
- To receive prompt restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the victim's loss or injury.
- To be heard at any proceeding when any post-conviction release from confinement is being considered.
- To a speedy trial or disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.
- To have all rules governing criminal procedure and the admissibility of evidence in all criminal proceedings protect victims' rights and to have these rules be subject to amendment or repeal by the legislature to ensure the protection of these rights.
- To be informed of victims' constitutional rights.
B. A victim's exercise of any right granted by this section shall not be grounds for dismissing any criminal proceeding or setting aside any conviction or sentence.
C. "Victim" means a person against whom the criminal offense has been committed or, if the person is killed or incapacitated, the person's spouse, parent, child, or other lawful representative, except if the person is in custody for an offense or is the accused.
D. The legislature, or the people by initiative or referendum, have the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to define, implement, preserve, and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section, including the authority to extend any of these rights to juvenile proceedings.
E. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights for victims shall not be construed to deny or disparage others granted by the legislature or retained by victims.
Arizona Constitution / Article 2: Declaration of Rights / Section 2.1: Victims' Bill of Rights
For more information on your victims' rights, please refer to your victims' rights pamphlet. If you did not receive one either at the time of the crime or through the mail, please call the Victim Services Unit at 602-261-8192 to request one.