ARS 13-4405: Information Given to Victims by Police

A. As soon after the detection of a criminal offense as the victim may be contacted without interfering with an investigation or arrest, the law enforcement agency that has responsibility for investigating the criminal offense shall provide electronic forms, pamphlets, information cards or other materials to the victim:

1. That allow the victim to request or waive applicable rights to which the victim is entitled, on request, under this article.

2. That provide the victim a method to designate a lawful representative if the victim chooses pursuant to section 13-4403, subsection A or section 13-4404.

3. That provide notice to the victim of all of the following information:

(a) The victim’s right under the victims’ bill of rights, article II, section 2.1, Constitution of Arizona, to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity and to be free of intimidation, harassment or abuse throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.

(b) The availability, if any, of crisis intervention services and emergency and medical services and, where applicable, that medical expenses arising out of the need to secure evidence may be reimbursed pursuant to section 13-1414.

(c) In cases of domestic violence, the procedures and resources available to protect the victim pursuant to section 13-3601.

(d) The names and telephone numbers of public and private victim assistance programs, including the county victim compensation program and programs that provide counseling, treatment and other support services.

(e) The police report number, if available, other identifying case information and the following statement:

If within thirty days you are not notified of an arrest in your case, you may call (the law enforcement agency’s telephone number) for the status of the case.

(f) Whether the suspect is an adult or juvenile, a statement that the victim will be notified by the law enforcement agency at the earliest opportunity after the arrest of a suspect.

(g) If the suspect is an adult and has been arrested, the victim’s right, on request, to be informed of the suspect’s release, of the next regularly scheduled time, place and date for initial appearances in the jurisdiction and of the victim’s right to be heard at the initial appearance and that, to exercise these rights, the victim is advised to contact the custodial agency regarding the suspect’s release and to contact the court regarding any changes to the initial appearance schedule.

(h) If the victim chooses to exercise the right to be heard through a written statement, how that statement may be submitted to the court.

(i) That the victim or the immediate family member of the victim, if the victim is killed or incapacitated, has the right to receive one copy of the police report, including any supplements to the report, audio recordings and video recordings from the investigating law enforcement agency section 39-127.

B. If at the time of contact with a law enforcement agency the victim is physically or emotionally unable to request or waive applicable rights, the law enforcement agency shall designate this in the format that is authorized by subsection A of this section and the entities that may be subsequently affected shall presume that the victim invoked the victim’s right to request applicable rights to which the victim is entitled, on request, unless the victim later waives those rights.

C. The law enforcement agency shall submit a copy of the victim’s request or waiver of preconviction rights form to the custodial agency and a copy to the prosecutor if a suspect is arrested, at the time the suspect is taken into custody. If there is no arrest, the form copies shall be submitted to the prosecutor at the time the case is otherwise presented to the prosecutor for review. The prosecutor shall submit a copy of the victim’s request or waiver of preconviction rights form to the departments or sections of the prosecutor’s office, if applicable, that are mandated by this article to provide victims’ rights services on request.

D. If the suspected offender is cited and released, the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the offense shall inform the victim of the court date and how to obtain additional information about the subsequent criminal proceedings.

E. Law enforcement agencies within a county may establish different procedures designed to efficiently and effectively provide notice of the victim’s rights pursuant to this section and notice to affected entities of the victim request or waiver information. If different procedures are established, the procedures shall:

1. Be reported to the entities within a county affected by the procedures and reported to the attorney general.

2. Be designed so that custodial agencies and prosecutors within a county receive notice of the victim’s request or waiver of the victim’s preconviction rights at the same time that an adult suspect is arrested.

3. Be designed so that prosecutors within a county receive notice of the victim’s request or waiver of the victim’s preconviction rights, if there is no arrest, at the same time that the case is otherwise presented to the prosecutor for review.

4. Provide that the notice to affected entities of a victim’s request or waiver of the victim’s preconviction rights includes information that affords the affected entity the ability to contact the victim.

5. Be supported by use of electronic forms, brochures or other written materials that are developed by the law enforcement agencies within a county and reviewed by the attorney general pursuant to section 13-4417, subsection B.

F. If a suspect has not been arrested at the time of contact with the victim pursuant to subsection A of this section, the law enforcement agency that is responsible for investigating the offense shall notify the victim of the arrest of a suspect at the earliest opportunity after the arrest and of the time, place and date for the initial appearance.