Victim's Rights by State

Read this first:

1. Each state adopted a list of Victim's Rights following California's example in 1982 - the Bill of Rights for victims, or "Marsy's Law."  Certain aspects of these rights, originally established for victims of violent crimes, also cover fraud victims; however, the list of rights differs from state to state.

2. Many state's victim services provide a Victim/Witness Specialist or Victim Advocate* who can help you with local social services and help you with other problems you are facing due to having been scammed.

3. Even if your state's Victim's Rights do not apply to White Collar Crime victims or only applies to victims of offenders who are being prosecuted in the same state, contact our local law enforcement or Attorney General's Office to find out if you can speak with a Victim Advocate or Victim/Witness Specialist.

4. In some states a victim must be declared a victim by the Prosecutor's Office before gaining access to victim services.  However, call anyway to find out if you can avail yourself of the services and assistance of a Victim Advocate or Victim/Witness Specialist.

5. Compensation seldom covers victims of White Collar Crime as the expense for the state would be ruinous; however, if you have lost so much money that you cannot pay for rent, food, transportation to and from work, medical expenses, or your child's welfare, it never hurts to ask if there is some form of temporary assistance for you and your family, and if an advocate can help you obtain it.

* A Victim/Witness Specialist and a Victim Advocate often have the same duties.

Adobe PDF: The table below is linked to each state's Bill of Rights list for victims.  The list is sometimes only accessible in Adobe PDF format.  To read documents issued in PDF format, you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.  To download the free Adobe Reader, click HERE or go to www.adobe.com and search the site for "Adobe Reader."

MONTANA