Law enforcement officers are  required to distribute a notice of rights and resources to victims at initial contact, and provide an additional notice to victims of domestic abuse. Minn. Stat. sections 611A.02 and 629.341.

 

The Crime Victim Justice Unit (CVJU) provides assistance to law enforcement agencies in Minnesota to create and update the victim information cards distributed to crime victims. In addition, the CVJU can review existing cards for compliance with the state law, assist with updating cards, and help departments create new cards.  There is no fee for this service; however, each agency is responsible for printing its own cards. For assistance, contact the CVJU at cvju.ojp@state.mn.us. 

 

The victim information card has been translated into the following languages. Agencies can link these cards to their websites, send electronically to victims, use to customize their own hard copy handouts, or use to create their own online victim information pages.

 

 

When victims of violent crime submit a claim to the Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program (formerly known as the reparations) for assistance with the expenses related to their victimization, typically medical expenses, the board will send a request to law enforcement agencies for a copy of the incident report along with a form to be completed by the responding officer in order to establish the eligibility of the claimant. The reimbursement program relies on the law enforcement reports and information from the investigator to make a fair, just, and objective claims decision.  This brochure is directed at law enforcement and the reimbursement program.