​Minnesota provides crime victims with important rights as their case moves through the criminal justice system. These rights are found in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 611A and elsewhere.

The crime victims’ movement in Minnesota dates to the early 1970s, when the first rape crisis center and domestic violence shelter opened their doors. The 1970s also saw the establishment of the state’s victim compensation program and the beginning of a wave of victim/witness programs operating out of county attorneys’ offices.

Many laws have been enacted over the last 50 years, strengthening crime victim rights and services  to ensure that the needs of victims are being met and that their voices are heard in criminal prosecution process.