Since the 1960s, crime victims have gained rights to be informed, heard, educated, treated and included in the criminal justice process. Minnesota has passed laws with the commitment to inform crime victims of their rights in the following areas:

Law enforcement

Law enforcement provides immediate assistance to crime victims, including obtaining necessary and immediate medical treatment and preparing a written police report which can be provided at no cost to the victim, the victim’s attorney or a domestic abuse organization providing services to victims. Law enforcement is generally a victim’s first point of contact and will inform victims of their rights, depending on the circumstance, such as:

• Locating the nearest crime victim assistance program or resource
• Recovering a stolen vehicle within 48 hours
• Initiating a complaint on part of the victim
• Aiding the victim in the criminal justice process

If immediate assistance is needed or in case of an emergency, call 911. If you have questions, need help or would like to talk to someone regarding your rights, please call Barb Hedstrom, victim and community services coordinator, at 952-233-9467.

Prosecuting attorney’s offices

Victims in Minnesota have statutory rights regarding notification, participation, compensation and protection. It is the job of the prosecuting attorney’s office to inform victims of these rights.

Victims who feel their crime victim rights have been violated or they have been mistreated by a member or entity of the criminal justice system can contact the Crime Victim Justice Unit.

Custodial facilities (jail/prisons)    

• The release or escape of an arrested or detained person.
• In predatory offender cases, information about an offender’s release conditions, pretrial review, supervised release hearings.
• In juvenile cases and for purposes of restitution, information about the name and location of a juvenile.

Other facilities

Depending upon the type of crimes, courts, hospitals, the Department of Motor Vehicles, employers, etc. are required to give information and services to qualified crime victims.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES

• Minnesota Alliance on Crime
• US Office of Victims of Crime
• National Organization for Victim Assistance

Crime victims can seek compensation for their economic losses, including:

• Reparations for non-property losses caused by violent crimes. In some instances, family members of a crime victim or witnesses to a crime may be eligible for some types of reparations.    
• Restitution is financial compensation to a victim which is court ordered to be paid by a defendant who is found guilty or pleads guilty.
• Emergency funds, which may be available within our community.

Cooperation with police and prosecutors is usually required to qualify for the above assistance.

All crime victims can start their own private civil court lawsuit to collect for damages and losses, including pain and suffering, against criminal defendants.

Other financial resources may be available from community connections. Contact the Shakopee Police Department's victim and community services coordinator at 952-496-9467 to inquire about available assistance for monetary losses resulting from a crime.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Minnesota Crime Victims Reparations Board at 651-201-7300
• Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs information: Restitution [PDF]
• Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs information: Court-ordered restitution [PDF]

Crime victims have the right to request police keep information about themselves confidential; these requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. To make such a request to the Shakopee Police Department, please contact the department at 952-233-9400 for information.

A victim can ask the prosecuting attorney not to disclose personal information, such as address, phone number, etc., to the defendant (although the defendant’s attorney may be provided this information with instructions not to tell their client.)

Shakopee Police Department maintains records for approximately seven years. Crime victims can request a copy of their report. If a case is still under investigation, a complete police report may not be available.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Minnesota Department of Public Safety: How to Request a Copy of Your Police Report [PDF]
• Online court records: Minnesota Court Information System
• Online court forms and self-help center: Minnesota Judicial Branch
• Scott County Law Library, Scott County Justice Center, 200 Fourth Ave. W., Shakopee, or 952-496-8713
• Scott County Court Administration, Scott County Justice Center, 200 Fourth Ave. W., Shakopee, or 952-496-8200

In Minnesota, there are four primary types of restraining orders or protective orders. Violating any of these orders can result in a criminal charge against the violator.

DOMESTIC ABUSE NO CONTACT ORDER (DANCO): An order issued by a judge at the request of the criminal prosecutor in a criminal court case for domestic abuse (assault or ###), stalking or violation of a civil order for protection. These orders can be issued without any involvement or input from the victim. In Scott County, a probation agent may contact a victim to see if they want to have the DANCO order. This order usually remains in effect during the criminal court action and sometimes is extended while a defendant is on probation. There is no fee for a DANCO and usually states the defendant (a) cannot contact the victim and (b) cannot go to the victim’s residence. A victim can request to appear at a hearing before a judge to cancel this order, which usually will be at the defendant’s next scheduled criminal court hearing.

ORDER FOR PROTECTION (OFP): An order issued by a judge in civil court after a victim (petitioner) completes a request on a petition form. This order remains in effect until the date listed by the judge on the order, usually one to two years. To qualify for an OFP, there must be a family or household relationship and physical or sexual violence between the petitioner and the person who the order is issued against (respondent). There is a filing fee of $325, but it can be waived in some circumstance. A person can ask the judge to issue a variety of orders to the respondent, including but not limited to:

• Cannot contact the petitioner
• Cannot go to the petitioner’s residence and cannot be within a certain distance of petitioner’s home
• Cannot go to the petitioner’s work
• Cannot go to the petitioners (and children’s) school

HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER (HRO): An order issued by a judge in civil court after a petitioner completes a request. There does NOT have to be any relationship between the petitioner and the respondent. An HRO may be issued when there is:

• A single incident of physical or sexual assault
• A single incident of nonconsensual sending of private sexual images
• A single incident of using another’s personal information without consent to encourage a third party to engage in a sexual act with the person
• Repeated unwanted acts, words or gestures that have or are intended to have a substantial adverse effect on a person’s safety, security or privacy  

GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTION ORDER (GRO): An order issued by a judge at the request of the criminal prosecutor in any type of criminal court case to order a defendant to be excluded from a geographical location or address. A hearing must be held before this order is issued and often is held immediately after a bail hearing. The court will consider the defendant’s criminal history, likelihood of future criminal activity within the restricted area, if the defendant’s presence in the proposed restricted area creates a risk to property or public safety and other factors deemed relevant by the court. This order usually remains in effect during the criminal court action and sometimes is extended while a defendant is on probation. A GRO may be issued if the court finds the defendant’s presence in a restricted area creates a risk to public safety or property.

Assistance in applying for an OFP or HRO may be available thru Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women at 952-873-4214 or from a Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services staff attorney on Mondays at the Scott County Justice Center in Shakopee or by calling 651-222-4731 or 1-888-575-2954.

See the Minnesota courts website for more information on how to get a court OFP or HRO.

Crime affects people in different ways. Many people experience some level of concern for their safety, and they may experience anxiety or trauma after being a crime victim or witnessing a crime. Strengthening your sense of wellbeing and safety is an important part of responding to this event in your and your family’s life. Seeking information and support can be a good way to respond a crisis.

The following reactions are normal after a trauma or crisis:

• shock, disbelief and denial
• unable to make decisions or to concentrate
• unable to eat or sleep
• helplessness and feeling lost
• crying for “no reason”
• fear and panic
• anger, vengeful
• sadness, self-pity and guilt
• depression and losing interesting activities previously enjoyed
• withdrawal or isolation
• unwanted memories or flashbacks

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Trauma of Victimization
• Coping with Victimization
• Survivor Guidelines
• Survivor Resources 

Contact the Shakopee Police Department's victim and community services coordinator at 952-496-9467 for more assistance and referrals.

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or harassment have extra rights afforded them, including:

• To be informed of prosecutor’s decision to decline prosecution or dismiss the case along with information about seeking a protective or harassment order at no fee
• To be protected against employer retaliation for victims to take reasonable time off to attend order for protection or harassment restraining order proceedings
• To have the ability to terminate a lease without penalty
• To make a confidential request for HIV testing of a convicted offender
• To not have to pay the cost of a sexual assault examination
• To not be required to undergo a polygraph examination in order for an investigation or prosecution to proceed

Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women is a local program that provides a 24-hour helpline and other resources including support groups, assistance in filing for restraining orders, information, resources and more for women in Scott and Carver County.

The Sexual Violence Center provides a 24-hour helpline at 612-871-5111 and free confidential services to survivors, their friends and families along with education and training.

Abuse of drugs (both prescribed and illegal drugs) and alcohol continues not only to create victims of family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances of an abuser, but also the abuser themselves. These crimes often create other crimes like thefts, DWI, etc. Learn more at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which includes treatment program locator, several helplines including a Drug-Free Workplace and an A-Z listing of resources and information.                

The Shakopee Police Department's Recovery Assistance Program offers scholarships and mentorships to Shakopee residents who are successfully completing their alcohol or drug addiction treatment program at four contracted facilities. You can also contact Shakopee Police Department’s victim and community services coordinator at 952-233-9467.

• Scott County Adult Protective Services: 952-445-7751
• Minnesota Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services
• Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center: 844-880-1574
• Veterans Linkage Line 
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
• Veterans Employment Toolkit
• Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

Having someone you know murdered creates many questions and can lead to lasting trauma. Seeking help and information can help many people cope with the aftermath of the murder of person in their life. Children often need special help to understand and cope with the death.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Office of Justice Programs Homicide Help Brochure [PDF]
• Parents of Murdered Children (Minnesota Chapter)
• Information regarding homicide and grief
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Guide for Adults in Talking to Children About Death and Attending Services

Fraud, identity theft, financial card transaction crimes and scams are among the fastest growing areas of crime. Crime victims are faced with the unique challenge of how to respond to these types of crimes, many of which can have impacts for years to come. Learn more about prevention and response to these types of crimes by reviewing the links below:

• Identify theft victims' rights [PDF]
• Office of Justice programs
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a wealth of information and a voluntary online report to aid in disputes with credit reporting agencies or debt collection agencies. The FTC collects complaints from identity theft victims and shares their information with law enforcement nationwide. This information also may be shared with other government agencies, consumer reporting agencies and companies where the fraud was perpetrated to help resolve identity theft-related problems. Call 877-438-4338.
• Identity Theft Resource Center: A non-profit organization that provides information and assistance to victims of identity theft, and they can be contacted at 888-400-5530.
• Privacy Rights Clearing House
• Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
• AARP Fraud Fighter Center: 877-908-3360 
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Report internet crimes including scams and fraud
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Provides financial education on preventing frauds, scams and exploitation
• IRS to report someone fraudulently filing your tax refund by filing IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, which can also be used to report a data breach involving your tax-related identity. REMEMBER, the IRS will not contact you by email or threaten you with arrest, which are common tactics of SCAMMERS to steal money from you!

Victims and their families are often greatly affected by the emotional and physical damage caused by impaired, distracted or reckless driving. Victims are encouraged to seek help and support for crime victims’ rights, emotional impact and financial assistance.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Impaired Driving Help Brochure
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): 24-Hour Victim Help Line 877-MADD-HELP
• Minnesotans for Safe Driving

These offenses are the most common crimes in Shakopee, and many times are the most preventable. Theft victims often suffer financial losses unless they have some type of insurance coverage. They can always ask for restitution if a suspect is identified, charged and convicted. If you have questions or need further assistance, contact Shakopee Police Department’s victim and community services coordinator at 952-233-9467 or visit the Office for Victims of Crime's Robbery Help Brochure [PDF].