The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 33 : Human Services

Chapter 051 : General Provisions

• § 5129. Information from law enforcement agency

  (a) Information to all victims in juvenile and youthful offender proceedings. After initial contact between a victim and a law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the offense, the agency shall promptly give in writing to the victim:

  (1) an explanation of the victim’s rights under this chapter and chapters 52 and 52A of this title; and

  (2) information concerning the availability of:

  (A) assistance to victims, including medical, housing, counseling, and emergency services;

  (B) compensation for victims under 13 V.S.A. chapter 167 and the name, street address, and telephone number of the Center for Crime Victim Services;

  (C) protection for the victim, including protective court orders; and

  (D) access by the victim and the offender to records related to the case that are public under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 3 (access to public records).

  (b) Information to victims of listed crimes. As soon as practicable, the law enforcement agency shall use reasonable efforts to give to the victim of a listed crime, as relevant, all of the following:

  (1) information as to the offender’s identity unless inconsistent with law enforcement purposes;

  (2) information as to whether the offender has been taken into custody;

  (3) the file number of the case and the name, office street address, and telephone number of the law enforcement officer currently assigned to investigate the case;

  (4) the prosecutor’s name, office street address, and telephone number;

  (5) an explanation that no individual is under an obligation to respond to questions that may be asked outside a courtroom or deposition; and

  (6) information concerning any conditions of release imposed on the offender prior to an initial court appearance, unless otherwise limited by court order. (Added 2021, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 1, 2022.)