Ohio victims of crime have constitutionally protected rights.  Some rights are automatically granted, while other rights must be requested by the victim.   With the recent passing of H.B. 343 on April 6, 2023, Ohio created the Victim’s Rights Request form, known in Mentor as the MPD Victim Rights form.

Completing the MPD Victim Rights form informs criminal justice officials which rights you as the victim wish to exercise and how you can best be contacted to receive specific notifications based on the rights you selected relating to your case.  You can choose to exercise all, some, or none of your rights, and you have the right to change your selections.  Officers responding to crimes of violence, protection orders, and sexual assault will assist victims with completing the MPD Victim Rights form.  Once the form is completed, the officer will provide a copy to the victim.

Victims of property and other non-violent crimes may complete the MPD Victim Rights form.   Those victims who have already completed a form but wish to change their selections or contact information, may also use the form in the link below.  In any case, those completing a form should make a copy for their record and then mail, email, or drop off a copy at the Mentor Police Department.  Paper forms may be obtained at the Mentor Police Department.

EMAIL FORMS TO:                   policerecords@cityofmentor.com

MAIL or DROP OFF FORMS:   Mentor Police Department,  8500 Civic Center Blvd,  Mentor, OH  44060

Click here for MPD Victim’s Rights Form

NOTE:  The above-linked victim form is a fill-able .pdf document which victims can print blank and complete by hand OR complete as a fill-able form before printing.  Regardless, the form must be signed AFTER printing the form.

The Mentor Police Victim Assistance Program addresses the needs of crime victims in the cities of Mentor and Mentor on the Lake.  The program employs one full-time Advocate who is available to support and assist victims with court proceedings related to the criminal offense.  If you have questions, please contact:

Dianne Medvec, MA, LSW
Victim Advocate
Mentor Police Department
8500 Civic Center Boulevard
Mentor, OH  44060
(440) 205.2438
medvec@cityofmentor.com

Privacy

Victims have the right to:

  • Refuse interview, deposition and discovery requests made by the accused.
  • Request that certain information not be publicly released.

Protection

Victims have the right to:

  • Protection from the accused.
  • Seek a court order to prevent intimidation / harm.
  • In cases of domestic violence, seek a protection order.

Representation

Victims have the right to:

  • Have counsel, and designate themselves or another person to act as their representative.

Legal Proceedings

Victims have the right to:

  • Confer with a prosecutor, proceedings free from unreasonable delay, and a prompt conclusion to the case.
  • Be present, heard and accompanied by a support person / victim advocate.
  • Attend court without being threatened / penalized as a result of time missed from work.

Notification

Victims have the right to:

  • Receive notice of public proceedings and be notified of the results of the case.
  • Receive notices of any release / escape of an offender.
  • Receive notice of a pending motion for release of the offender, be heard at the hearing, and be notified of the decision.
  • Receive notice of any application for release of the offender and to send a written statement to the applicable authority.
  • In cases of sexually oriented or child victim-oriented offense, receive notice that the offender has registered as a sex offender.
  • In cases of certain sexually violent offenses committed by certain offenders, receive notice of a hearing to determine whether to modify the offender’s prison term.

Compensation

Victims have the right to:

  • Apply for victim compensation.
  • Receive restitution.
  • Bring a civil action to obtain money from the offender’s profits fund, and, in certain cases to maintain a civil action against the parent of a minor.
  • Receive potential payment for damages caused by a lack of parental authority / control.

Note: Ohio law requires law enforcement agencies to provide victims with a Victims Rights Request Form.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visit the Ohio Attorney General’s “Services for Victims” page.