Victims Rights

Rights of Victims in Juvenile Court Delinquency Proceedings

General Rights: Apply to the victim of the crime as well as the parent or legal guardian of a minor victim.

• The right to have a meaningful role in the juvenile justice process, to be treated with dignity and respect, to fair and impartial treatment, and to reasonable protection from the youth offender.
• To discuss your automatic and requested rights with the Division's Victim Advocate by calling the Juvenile Division at {503-434-7512.
• You, your attorney, or the District Attorney may assert your rights in Court.

Automatic Rights:

• The victim has the right to have a support person with them at any meeting or during Court.
• If the case involved physical harm or death, the victim may be able to get financial help for counseling, medical or death related costs.
• The victim can attend open court hearings.
• The victim can get a copy of a transcript or recording of open court proceedings if one is already made. There may be a charge for the transcript or recording.
• Most "personal identifiers" can usually be protected from an alleged youth offender. These include the victim's phone number, address, social security number, date of birth, bank account and credit card account numbers.
• The victim or the District Attorney can ask the court to limit copying or dissemination of information about and recording of a sexually explicit nature.

The law also allows the victim automatic rights when the youth is taken into custody as well as when the youth is adjudicated (plea of guilt) and at disposition (sentencing). There are several additional rights that must be requested by the victim. It is important that victim(s) contact the Juvenile Division to discuss these matters with the Victim Advocate {503-434-7512. In order to fully protect victim rights, the victim must keep the District Attorney's Office/Juvenile Division updated with contact information. The voice of the victim(s) of crime is encouraged and valuable.