Divisions » Victim Services

Crime Victims Rights

Since 1989, the State of Kansas has upheld key protections for crime victims through the Crime Victims Bill of Rights. The Kansas Attorney General is dedicated to ensuring victims are treated with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity, and are protected from intimidation or retaliation throughout the criminal justice process. 

Your Rights as a Crime Victim:

K.S.A. 74-7333. Bill of Rights for Victims of Crime

(a) In order to ensure the fair and compassionate treatment of victims of crime and to increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system by affording victims of crime certain basic rights and considerations, victims of crime shall have the following rights:

(1) Victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion and with respect for their dignity and privacy and should suffer the minimum of necessary inconvenience from their involvement with the criminal justice system.

(2) Victims should receive, through formal and informal procedures, prompt and fair redress for the harm which they have suffered.

(3) Information regarding the availability of criminal restitution, recovery of damages in a civil cause of action, the crime victims compensation fund and other remedies and the mechanisms to obtain such remedies should be made available to victims.

(4) Information should be made available to victims about their participation in criminal proceedings and the scheduling, progress and ultimate disposition of the proceedings.

(5) The views and concerns of victims should be ascertained and the appropriate assistance provided throughout the criminal process.

(6) When the personal interests of victims are affected, the views or concerns of the victim should, when appropriate and consistent with criminal law and procedure, be brought to the attention of the court.

(7) Measures may be taken when necessary to provide for the safety of victims and their families and to protect them from intimidation and retaliation.

(8) Enhanced training should be made available to sensitize criminal justice personnel to the needs and concerns of victims and guidelines should be developed for this purpose.

(9) Victims should be informed of the availability of health and social services and other relevant assistance that they might continue to receive the necessary medical, psychological and social assistance through existing programs and services.

(10) Victims should report the crime and cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

(b) As used in this act, "victim" means any person who suffers direct or threatened physical, emotional or financial harm as the result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime against such person.

In 1992, Kansas was one of the earlier states to amend the state Constitution for Crime Victim Rights.

Kansas State Constitution - Article 15, Section 15 – Victims’ Rights

  1. Victims of crime as defined by law shall be entitled to certain basic rights, including the right to be informed of and be present at, public hearings, as defined by law, of the criminal justice process, and to be heard at sentencing or at any other time deemed appropriate by the court, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.  
  2. Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating a cause of action for money damages against the state, a county, a municipality, or any of the agencies, instrumentalities, or employees thereof. The legislature may provide any other remedies to insure adequate enforcement of this section.
  3. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a court to set aside or to void a finding of guilt or innocence or an acceptance of a plea of guilty or to set aside any sentence imposed in any criminal case. 

Report a Violation

If you believe your rights have been violated, please contact the Victim Rights Coordination Unit – Criminal Division:

When reaching out, include:

  • Your full name
  • A contact number
  • The county where the crime occurred
  • A brief description of your complaint

A member of our team will follow up with you.