Ch. 585

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5)     Be advised of the protection available, and, on request, be protected by
criminal justice agencies, to the extent reasonable, practicable, and, in the agency's
discretion, necessary, from harm or threats of harm arising out of the crime victim's or
witness's cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts;

(6)     During any phase of the investigative proceedings or court proceedings,
be provided, to the extent practicable, a waiting area that is separate from a suspect and
the family and friends of a suspect;

(7)     Be informed by the appropriate criminal justice agency of financial
assistance, criminal injuries compensation, and any other social services available as a
result of being a crime victim and receive assistance or information on how to apply for
services;

(8)     Be advised of and, on request, be provided with employer intercession
services, when appropriate, by the State's Attorney's office or other available resource to
seek employer cooperation in minimizing an employee's loss of pay or other benefits
resulting from participation in the criminal justice process;

(9)     On written request, be kept reasonably informed by the police or the
State's Attorney of the apprehension of a suspect, closing of the case, and an office to
contact for information about the case;

(10)   Be advised of the right to have stolen or other property promptly
returned and, on written request, have the property promptly returned by law
enforcement agencies when means can be employed to otherwise satisfy evidentiary
requirements for prosecution unless there is a compelling law enforcement reason for
retaining it;

(11)   For a crime of violence, as defined in [Article 27, § 643B of the Code]
§ 643B OF THIS ARTICLE, on written request, be kept informed by pretrial release
personnel, the State's Attorney or Attorney General, as appropriate, of any proceeding
that affects the crime victim's interests, including bail hearing, dismissal, [nol pros]
NOLLE PROSEQUI, or stetting of charges, trial, disposition, whether at hearing, trial, or
appellate level;

(12)   On request of the State's Attorney to and in the discretion of the judge,
be permitted to address the judge or jury or have a victim impact statement read by the
judge or jury at sentencing before the imposition of the sentence or at any hearing to
consider altering the sentence;

(13)   Be informed, in appropriate cases by the State's Attorney of the right to
request restitution and, on request, be provided assistance in the preparation of the
request and advice as to the collection of the payment of any restitution awarded;

(14)   Be entitled to a speedy disposition of the case in which the individual is
involved as a crime victim or witness in order to minimize the length of time the
individual must endure responsibilities and stress in connection with the matter;

(15)   On written request to the parole authority, be informed any time there is
to be a hearing on provisional release from custody and any time the offender is to receive
such a release;

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