Crimes Served:

• Family Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Strangulation
• Homicide
• Assault (Non-Family)
• Robbery
• Child Abuse

Below is a summary of the rights afforded to crime victims. The full rights can be viewed at https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.56A.htm

• To receive adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts
• To have their safety considered by the magistrate in the setting of bail
• Notification of relevant court proceedings (upon request)
• Information on a defendant's general rights to bail and procedures in the criminal justice system (upon request)
• Provide pertinent information concerning the impact of the crime to the probation department
• Received information about Texas Crime Victims' Compensation and payment for medication examination for a victim of sexual assault, and referral to social service agencies that provide other types of assistance (upon request)
• Be informed about parole procedures (upon request)
• To have a separate and secure waiting area in all public court proceedings
• The prompt return of any property that is no longer needed as evidence
• Notification to the victim's employer by the prosecutor of the need for the victim's testimony in court proceedings (upon request)
• Request victim/offender mediation
• Be informed of the use and purpose of a victim impact statement and have the statement considered prior to sentencing and acceptance of a plea bargain and before the inmate is released on parole
• For certain offenses, have court consider impact of a continuance on the victim
• If the offense is a capital felony, the victim may receive an explanation of defense-initiated victim outreach, the right to not be contacted unless consented to contact, or designated a victim service provider to receive all communication from victim outreach specialist acting on behalf of any person
• Victim, guardian of victim, or close relative of deceased victim has a right to be present for court proceedings (subject to approval of judge) and are provided the same rights as listed above and the explanation of rights (upon request)

It is a crime for any person, including a former/current member of the family, dating partner, spouse, or roommate, to cause physical injury or harm or to engage in conduct constituting stalking, harassment or terroristic threat.

Please tell the investigating peace officer if you have been injured or if you feel you are going to be in danger when the officer leaves.

You have the right to:

1. Ask the local prosecutor to file a criminal complaint against the person who assaulted you;
2. Apply for a court order of protection:
   1. If the defendant is arrested for a crime against you involving family violence, you can:
      1. Request an order for emergency protection issued by a magistrate; and
      2. Apply to a court for a permanent order to protect you (you should consult a legal aid office, a prosecuting attorney, or a private attorney). You cannot be charged a fee by a court in connection with filing, serving, or entering a protective order; and 
3. Have the right to terminate your rental lease, vacate the dwelling avoid liability for future rent, and any other sums due under the lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before the end of the lease term for your safety.

Community Resources: 

It is a crime for any person to cause you any physical injury or harm.

Please tell the investigating peace officer if you have been injured or if you feel you are going to be in danger when the officer leaves.

You have the right to:

1. Obtain a forensic medical examination within 120 hours of the assault to collect potential evidence and receive preventative medications, even if you decide not to make a report to a law enforcement agency;
2. Anonymously track or receive updates regarding the status and location of each item of evidence collected in your case;
3. Have a sexual assault program advocate present during the forensic medical examination;
4. Have a sexual assault program advocate or other victim's representative present during an investigative interview with law enforcement;
5. Ask the local prosecutor to file a criminal complaint against the person who assaulted you;
6. Apply for a court order protection:
   1. If the defendant is arrested for a crime against you involving certain sex crimes, stalking or trafficking, you can:
      1. Request an order for emergency protection issued by a magistrate; and 
      2. Apply to a court for a permanent order to protect you (you should consult a legal aid office, a prosecuting attorney, or a private attorney). You cannot be charged a fee by a court in connection with filing, serving, or entering a protective order; and 
7. Have the right to terminate your rental lease, vacate the dwelling, and avoid liability for future rent and any other sums due under the lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before the end of the lease term for your safety.

Community Resources:

If you are a victim of sexual assault, family violence or stalking, and you are concerned that violence or harassing behavior towards you will continue, please consider creating a safety plan that best meets your needs. Safety planning is organizing steps that you might need to take to help improve you and your loved one’s safety. The suggestions below are simply a guide and are not in any way a reflection of what your safety plan should be. Only you truly know your environment and your abuser/stalker, and your own safety plan should reflect what works best for you.

1. Create a list of all locations you visit frequently and that your abuser is aware of. Could changing any of your frequented locations make your routine less predictable? (grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, hair/nail salons, recreational activities, religious events, etc.) 
2. Does your employer and/or co-workers need to be aware? Is changing your work hours feasible? Does your employer have cameras/lights in the parking lot? If so, are you able to park near them? Does your employer give you the option to have an escort as you walk to or from your vehicle?
3. Draw a layout of your home. Please note all windows, rooms and doors. In the event your abuser approaches your residence, which hallway/room/window would be the safest method to exit your home? Would it be helpful to pack a bag of important items and have them ready in case you need to exit quickly? Is it within your budget to add any home security equipment like alarms or cameras?
4. Is relocating to a different unit or apartment complex within your budget? Do you have a friend or family member that could house you until you are able to find a different unit or apartment complex? If this is a possibility, you do have the right to break your lease without any financial penalty for doing so. Please visit page 14 for more information.
5. Are there any neighbors, friends or family members that are aware of your situation? Would it be feasible to include them in your safety plan so you have another set of eyes or hands that could alert you or law enforcement if your abuser arrives unannounced? 
6. Consider keeping a log of every harassing or violent event. This would include dates, times, and whether law enforcement was notified. Sometimes harassing or stalking behaviors can occur across different cities so it can be helpful to have a reference in the event you report to different law enforcement agencies as evidence.
7. Save any voicemails, text messages, emails, or social media messages. Consider changing any of your passwords in the event your abuser could access your accounts without your knowledge.
8. Do you have children with the abuser? Abusers can often manipulate the family court system to punish a survivor who left. Be mindful of how they may use the children to continue control over your behavior or to trigger a response from you. Please consider looking through any of your children's electronics for any applications that could be monitoring your locations. If the courts allow you to choose your custody exchange locations, be mindful of selecting public areas that are well-lit and have cameras. 

For additional information on safety planning, please contact any of the local sexual assault/domestic violence agencies 24-hour hotlines for immediate assistance. You can also contact the Carrollton Police Department Victim Assistance during business hours to see if the continued harassment or stalking behaviors could be documented into your active case or whether a separate report is needed.

Another option that could be included in your safety planning is applying for a protective order.

There are a few court orders that are available to victims of family violence, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, stalking, trafficking of a person, and continuous trafficking of a person.

 These orders typically order a defendant to:

1. Not commit further acts of violence towards you;
2. Not to communicate in a threatening or harassing manner directly nor through any third-party;
3. Cannot go within 500 feet of your residence, school, place of employment 

Important: If you currently have a divorce pending or are in a child custody case, your personal attorney must seek the protective order in the court where your divorce or child custody case is filed.

To obtain a long-term protective order, contact the District Attorney's office in the county where the crime occurred by phone and request an application for a protective order.

The Texas Property Code allows for a victim of Family Violence (Sec. 92.016), Sexual Assault (Sec. 92.0161), or Stalking (Sec. 92.0161) to terminate their lease without financial penalty for the months remaining on the lease term. To do so, you will need to have at least one of the following documents:

• A temporary injunction, issued as part of a divorce proceeding
• Any of the protective orders previously listed
• A document showing family violence, sexual assault, or stalking against the tenant from at least one of the following:
  • A licensed health care services provider who examined you
  • A licensed mental health services provider who examined or evaluated you
  • An advocate at a family violence center who helped you

If your abuser is also a tenant on your lease, you may be eligible to break your lease immediately. If your abuser is not a tenant on your lease, you may be required to give your landlord and/or apartment manager a 30-day notice to vacate.

Please contact the Texas Advocacy Project for free and confidential legal assistance at 800-374-4673 or visit texasadvocacyproject.org. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.

Please contact the Carrollton Police Department’s Victim Assistance Program at 972-466-3158 if you are needing assistance obtaining any of the documentation listed above.

Crime Victims’ Compensation is a financial assistance program through the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. This program assists victims of violent crime and their immediate families with reimbursement of expenses resulting from the crime. It is a payer of last resort, which means that your insurance and other benefits like Social Security and Medicaid pay first, and then Crime Victims’ Compensation may assist with remaining costs.

• The crime must have occurred in Texas to a Texas resident or United States resident, or the crime must involve a Texas resident who becomes a victim in another state or country that does not have crime victims' compensation benefits for which the victim would be eligible.
• The crime must be reported to an appropriate law enforcement agency.
• The victim or claimant must be cooperative with the law enforcement investigation.
• You must file the application within three years from the date of the crime unless good cause is shown (age of the victim or the physical or mental incapacity of the victim, etc.)
• You did not: 1) Participate in the crime, 2) Commit legal activity at the time of the crime, 3) Share responsibility for the crime due to your behavior, 4) Give false information to the program, 5) You were not incarcerated at the time of the crime. 

Eligible Crimes: 

Eligible Expenses

Claims may be approved for benefits up to a total of $50,000. These funds may be paid to the victim/claimant or to service providers on behalf of the victim. Ap-proved claims may be awarded compensation for the following expenses related to the crime:

• Medical Care (Including Dental Care)
• Mental Health (60 Sessions)
• Loss of Support
• Loss of Wages (due to participation in, or attendance at, the investigation, medical/mental health appointments, prosecutorial and judicial processes, and travel - does not cover missed work due to emotional distress)
• Child and Dependent Care
• Funeral and Burial Expenses
• Crime Scene Clean-Up
• Replacement of Property Seized (bedding, sheets, clothing, cell phones or other personal property)
• Reasonable attorney fees for assistance in filing the Crime Victims' Compensation application and in obtaining benefits, if the claim is approved
• Relocation Expenses for Victims of Family Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault (who were assaulted in their residence)

**Please be advised that there are monetary limits set for each benefit.

Costs Not Covered by Program: Property damaged or stolen during the crime, identity theft costs, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and any cost not a direct result of the crime.

Please contact the Victim Advocate if you would like assistance completing the Crime Victims' Compensation application.

Crime Victims' Compensation Application - English

Crime Victims' Compensation Application - Spanish

The Carrollton Police Department is willing to assist eligible victims in their pursuit of a U-Visa by completing the I-918 Supplement B form also known as U-Visa certifications.

All requests must be submitted to the Victim Assistance Program at victim.advocate@cityofcarrollton.com.

• The Carrollton Police Department will only consider U-Visa I-918 Supplement B forms for petitioners when the case requires an extreme need for the petitioner to stay in the country for testimony in a felony case.
• The request must be received within 12-months from the day the qualifying crime occurred.
• The form will only be signed once.
• All requests for recertification or re-examination of previously reviewed U-Visa I-918 Supplement B requests will be denied.