If you were the victim of a crime in Aspen and have come to these pages to seek more information on your rights we hope this will be of help. We are sorry that you have been victimized, and we understand that your experience may have created stress, fear and confusion for you and your family. We want to help you through some of the difficulties you may experience as a result of this crime.

As a crime victim, you have certain rights. If you are the victim of one of the crimes listed below, the Constitution and laws of Colorado guarantee your rights. This information will help you understand and exercise your rights. If you have any questions as you read through this information, please feel free to contact the District Attorney’s office and ask for assistance.

Murder in the first degree Murder in the second degree Manslaughter Criminally negligent homicide Vehicular homicide Careless driving resulting in death Hit and run resulting in death Vehicular assault Assault in the first degree Assault in the second degree Assault in the third degree Menacing First degree kidnapping Second degree kidnapping Sexual assault Unlawful sexual contact Sexual assault on a child Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust Sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist Robbery

Aggravated robbery Aggravated robbery of controlled substances Incest Aggravated incest Child abuse Sexual exploitation of children Crimes against at-risk adults or at-risk juveniles Harassment by stalking Ethnic intimidation Any crime having the underlying factual basis of domestic violence Failure to stop at the scene of an accident, where the accident results in the death of another person Retaliation against a witness or victim Tampering with a witness or victim Any criminal attempt, any conspiracy, and any criminal solicitation, involving any of the crimes specified above.

Important definitions: Serious bodily injury means bodily injury which, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree.

"At risk" adult: any person 60 years or older; any person 18 years or older with a disability.

"At risk" juvenile: any person under 18 years with a disability. Note: As of July 1, 1996, Colorado law forbids any attorney, not having a previous professional relationship with a victim, from soliciting that person for 30 days following an incident/crash.

If the victim has died or is incapacitated, these rights are guaranteed to the victim's spouse, parent, significant Other Or lawful representative.

When a crime is reported, a Peace Officer will respond and gather as much information as possible about what happened. The Officer will determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to pursue the investigation and will let you know when the decision is made to, continue the investigation. As your case progresses, you may be asked to meet again with the Officer to answer questions that may help solve the crime.

You will, be notified in person or by letter of the status of your case. If you have questions about what is happening, call the (970) 920-5400, or call the Victim Assistance Program at (970) 945-8635 (Glenwood Springs).

If a crime was committed and a suspect is arrested and charged with the crime, your case will be referred to the District Attorney. The D.A.'s office will review the case and make a decision whether or not to prosecute the suspect. Your input regarding your case can be directed to the D.A.'s office in Aspen at (970) 920-5341. They will let you know what is happening with your case.

To get a copy of your case report filed by the Peace Officer, call the Records Department at (970) 920- 5320 if your crime happened in Aspen or Pitkin County. There will be a small fee for the report. The fee will be waived if you cannot afford it. Call the District Attorney's Office at 920-5341 (Aspen) to find this information:

• If anyone in your case has been arrested
• Information about the crime with which the defendant has been charged
• Bond information (the conditions under which the defendant can be released from jail)
• The next court date for the defendant

After business hours or on weekends, call the Pitkin County Jail at (970) 920-5332.

The peace officer investigating the case in which you were a victim may have taken something of yours as evidence to help prosecute the subject. After the court proceedings have been completed, you may call the Aspen Police department with your case number and request your property back.
If your property is no longer needed and is not contraband, you can make an appointment with the Evidence Specialist for the return of your belongings.

The Crime Victim Compensation Program provides financial assistance for victims. of violent crimes. The program is funded through court-ordered fees that are collected from defendants. Applications from victims are submitted to a three-member board that meets on a monthly basis to review cases for awards. Emergency awards may also be made up to $500. Colorado Crime Victim Compensation Programs operate from the various District Attorneys' Offices across the state. I To qualify, you Must have reported the crime to a law enforcement agency. A victim can be compensated for these expenses:

• Medical and dental expenses
• Mental health counseling costs
• Lost wages
• Burial costs
• Loss of economic support to dependents
• Damage to doors, locks, and windows of residences
• Replacement or repair of glasses, dentures and other medically necessary devices.

For additional information, applications and assistance, please call the District Attorney's Victim Witness Assistance Program at 945-8635 (Glenwood).

The initial shock following a crime, sudden death or other trauma is a harsh & painful reality for everyone involved. Here are some normal reactions:

• Shock, disbelief, numbness
• Unwanted memories
• Anxiety or feelings of panic
• Feeling 'lost"
• Irritability
• Blaming oneself with thoughts like “If only I had . . .”
• Nightmares, sleep disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Anger
• Crying for “no apparent reason”
• Flashbacks
• Problems concentrating
• Depression, sadness
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Disruptions in family life
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Unexplained headaches, nausea or physical pain.

If you would like help with emotional recovery, call the Aspen Counseling Center at 920-5555. Or, in a crisis call 911.

After some time has passed, it is possible to experience a full life again after a crime or tragedy. As most people work through their feelings, they begin to accept that they did the best they could under the circumstances, and they find renewed energy to focus on their lives again.

If you are a friend or a family member of crime victims, do what you can to help them feel safe, and remind them that their confusing emotions are normal. Offer assistance with specific tasks or errands. Patiently offer options without taking control. Re-establishing control is an important part of the healing process for victims.

Traumatized people are NOT comforted by statement such as "You are lucky it wasn't worse." They may also feel blamed by questions like "Why were you there?" Instead, tell them that you are sorry such events have occurred, and that they were not the cause of the crimes.

Help victims find out what public services are available to them, and support them by going with them to any criminal justice proceedings.

If you are close to a victim, you also may become a co-victim because you care so much about that person. You, too, may need someone to talk to and support you.

Remember, each victim and co-victim experiences crime and trauma, and their consequences, differently. Try to be patient with the different ways in which people cope and the different rates at which we all heal.

Every law enforcement agency is committed to helping victims by keeping them informed of the status of cases as well as to directing victims and their families toward appropriate community resources. Please feel free to ask for help by calling the Aspen Police Department.
You can contact the District Attorney's Victim Witness Assistance Program at (970)945-8635(Glenwood Springs).

Once charges are filed by the District Attorney's Office and the court process begins, the D.A.'s Victim Witness Assistance Program provides the following services:

• Notification of all critical stages of the court process
• Assistance in applying for Crime Victim Compensation and submitting the Victim Impact Statement.
• Helping with special concerns of children, the elderly and people with disabilities as they deal with the court system.
• Helping with services for victims of domestic violence through the Domestic Violence Project Coordinator.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors
The RESPONSE program (Aspen) helps victims on a 24-hour basis by providing aid in the immediate crisis and, later, with follow-up assistance.

If someone has been arrested as a suspect in your case and that person is housed at the Pitkin County Jail, you have a right to be informed when that person is released from jail. You may request that information by phone or in writing to:

Jail Administrator
Pitkin County Jail
506 East Main Street
Aspen, CO 81611
(970)920-5331

Make sure the jail has your current address and phone number and is made aware of any changes. It is best to make this request as soon as you can, as it is difficult to determine how long a suspect will be held in jail before possibly being released on bond.

You can find out if the suspect has been arrested and is housed in a jail outside of Pitkin County by asking a Peace Officer, who will help you find that information. You must then contact the jail in the county of arrest to get information about the suspect's release. If you would like the Detention Officers to keep your personal information confidential-your address, telephone number, place of employment and so forth, you must request this in writing to the appropriate facility. Once the defendant has been convicted and sentenced, a Victim's Notification Form will be sent to you automatically. When you complete this form, a notification system will be put into place to alert you of parole hearings and a release date.

You have the right to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse and stalking.
Call the Aspen Police Department at 970-920-5400 or 911 in an emergency, if someone is violating that right.

Tampering with a victim or witness is illegal. If someone tries to get you to testify falsely or to stay away from court proceedings to which you have been legally summoned, call the same number as above.

You can also call the above number to find out about crime prevention suggestions on how to be safer and make your home more secure.
The following are also available to you:
Restraining orders, in which a judge orders a person to have no contact with you. If you are granted a restraining order and the person does contact you, he or she may be arrested. For information on how to get a restraining order, call the Court Clerk at 925-7635 in Aspen. RESPONSE is a service in Aspen for victims of domestic violence. Call RESPONSE for support, group counseling, safe homes or help with domestic violence restraining orders. 925-SAFE.

Remember, if you feel you are in danger at any time, you can call 911 from any phone for emergency assistance.

As a victim of a, crime, you have these rights:

• To be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.
• To be free from intimidation, harassment or abuse through out the criminal justice system.
• To be informed about what steps can be taken for protection from intimidation and harm. To be informed about various phases of your case-including investigation, filing of criminal charges against the suspect, prosecution, the trial and sentencing.
• To be present and provide information and input-in writing or in person-to the criminal justice process, especially at such key points as plea bargaining, sentencing and parole release hearings.
• To receive restitution as a condition of sentencing or other civil remedy.
• To receive your property, which may have been used for evidence, when it is no longer needed.
• To be notified about any arrest of a suspect, time and location of legal proceedings, time and location of trials, continuance, or delays in trial proceedings, sentencing and parole hearings.
• To be informed, in a timely manner, about your eligibility for victim compensation, where applicable, and your right to receive help in completing application forms.
• To employer intercession. (A victim cannot be fired or displaced from a job for participating in an investigation or court process.)
• To information about victim assistance and other community resources.

Emergency	911
24-Hour Crisis Lines	Aspen Counseling Center: 920-5555 RESPONSE, help for domestic violence or sexual assault (Aspen): 925-SAFE
Medical Resources	Aspen Valley Hospital: 425-1120 Pitkin County Community Health Services: 920-5420 Valley View 'Hospital 945-6535
Legal Resources	Rocky Mountain Lawyer Referral Service: 861-5500 Colorado Legal Services Project: 1-800-521-6968 Legal Center serving persons with disabilities and the elderly: 1-800-288-1376
Criminal Justice System	District Attorney's Office, Aspen: 920-5341 Victim/Witness Assistance -(Glenwood Springs): 945-8635
Social Services	Pitkin County Social Services: 920-5350, after hours call 920-5310
Substance Abuse Programs	Alcoholics’ Anonymous: 928-0499 Aspen Counseling Center: 920-5555 Aspen Substance Awareness Project: 925-5188 St. Mary's Recovery Services Psychiatric Help Line: 1-800-828-5374
Domestic Violence	RESPONSE, help for domestic violence or sexual assault (Aspen): 925-SAFE
Other Services	Veterans' Services: 945-5004 Asistencia Para Latinos: 945-4060 Family Visitor Program: 945-1234 Roaring Fork Hospice: 928-0601