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Part of Help for victims of crime

Court process for victims of crime

Learn how to prepare for court, what happens if the accused is found guilty and how to get ongoing information about an offender.

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Help for victims of crime

Information you can ask the police for

During a police investigation, you may ask the police for the following:

  • the progress of the investigation
  • if there were charges laid
  • the list of charges
  • the name of the accused

Obtaining a copy of release conditions

The accused may be released on judicial interim release (commonly called ‘bail’). The release order may include conditions, such as:

  • the accused may not communicate with a victim named in the order
  • the accused may not go to certain places
  • anything the court considers necessary to ensure the safety of any victim

Victims of a crime can get a free copy of the accused’s release order by:

  1. Visiting the nearest Alberta Court of Justice location. 
  2. Going to the Alberta Court of Justice Criminal counter.
  3. Providing sufficient information to identify the accused, including their:
    • full name
    • date of birth – if possible

If you are being assisted by a victim services organization, they may be able to request a copy of the judicial interim release order on your behalf.

Prepare for court

If your case goes to trial, the victim services unit will explain the courtroom process and guide you through the hearing. You can prepare for court by:

  • giving your contact info to the Crown prosecutor and the victim services unit
  • telling the Crown prosecutor about special needs you may have
  • arranging for a court orientation session with the victim services unit
  • completing and submitting your victim impact statement as soon as possible
  • completing and submitting your request for restitution as soon as possible

If the accused is found guilty

If the accused is found guilty:

  • The judge will consider your Victim Impact Statement while sentencing the offender.
  • The judge will consider your request for restitution while sentencing the offender.
  • You can read your victim impact statement out loud in court, or have someone read it for you if the judge allows.
  • If you do not want to be in the courtroom, the victim services unit will let you know the verdict.
  • If you have safety concerns, contact the police or a victim services unit.

Get ongoing information about the offender

  • If the offender receives a sentence of 2 years or more

    If the offender receives a sentence of 2 years or more, they will be sent to a federal prison. To receive ongoing information about the offender, you must register with the Correctional Service of Canada. Your victim services unit can help you register.

  • If the offender receives a sentence of less than 2 years

    If the offender receives a sentence of less than 2 years, they will be sent to the provincial corrections system. To receive ongoing information about the offender, you must fill out the Victim Request for Information and Disclosure form to register with Community Corrections. Your victim services unit can help you register.

  • After you register

    Once registered, you will be sent:

    • the offender’s name
    • the offence for which they were convicted and the court that convicted them
    • the start and end dates of their sentence
    • eligibility dates and review dates for temporary absences or parole

    You may also be sent:

    • the offender’s age
    • notification when the offender is in custody
    • notification when the offender leaves custody, and the reason for leaving
    • the location of the penitentiary where the sentence is being served
    • the date of any hearing for the purpose of detention
    • the date, if any, on which the offender is to be released on temporary absence, work release, parole or statutory release
    • any conditions attached to the offender’s temporary absence, work release, parole or statutory release
    • the destination of the offender on any temporary absence, work release, parole or statutory release, and whether the offender will be in your vicinity while travelling to that destination
    • the province where an offender is moved from a federal penitentiary to a provincial correctional facility
    • a current photograph of the offender

Connect with victim services

There are victim services units in communities across Alberta who are staffed with trained, caring people who will help you throughout the criminal justice process. Victim services advocates will treat you with courtesy, compassion and respect.

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