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For crime victims

Victim notification

If you are a victim of a crime, you have a right to be notified:

  • Of custody status changes for persons in jails and prisons. 
  • At different stages for a person subject to a petition for a civil commitment. 

Notification from jails and prisons

Following arrest: Release from jail

Victims of violent crime have a right to be notified of the pretrial release of an incarcerated person from a county jail or local detention facility. 

You do not have to make a specific request to receive this notification. You should register with Minnesota VINE, the automated victim notification service to ensure timely and reliable notification

After conviction: Release from jail

To receive custody status change notifications after a conviction, you must make a request to the jail or facility where the incarcerated pers​​on is housed. Contact the county jail to request release notification.

You can also register with Minnesota VINE for release information.

After conviction: Release from prison

The Minnesota Haven service provides notifications to victims of the change in custody status of persons incarcerated in a Department of Corrections (DOC) facility, also referred to as prison.

To request notification of changes in custody, register with the Minnesota Haven service

Civil commitment notifications 

Civil commitment refers to a court process where a person is voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a treatment facility.

You have a right to be notified when the:

  • County attorney files a petition for civil commitment against the person who has harmed you. 
  • Department of Health Services is considering a change in status of the person under civil commitment. 

Learn more about civil commitments.