§ 40-38-101 Legislative intent – Short title
§ 40-38-102 Rights of crime victims and prosecution witnesses
§ 40-38-103 Rights of crime victims – Generally
§ 40-38-104 Death of child or primary wage earner – Compensation – Preferences
§ 40-38-105 Criminal cases – Prompt disposal – Priority of cases involving crimes against the person
§ 40-38-106 Property offenses – Rights of victims
§ 40-38-107 Communication of rights and resources to victim
§ 40-38-108 Immunity for failure to comply
§ 40-38-109 Notice to crime victims of eligibility for compensation
§ 40-38-110 Victim’s right to notification of proceedings – Confidentiality
§ 40-38-111 Notifying victim of rights – Definitions – Confidentiality
§ 40-38-112 Responsibilities of office of the prosecuting attorney – Duty of victim
§ 40-38-113 Information required to be provided to victim by law enforcement agencies
§ 40-38-114 Conference between victim and prosecuting attorney prior to final disposition of case
§ 40-38-115 Crime victim advocate
§ 40-38-116 Victim’s right to a speedy trial
§ 40-38-117 Victim’s right to refuse interview with defendant
§ 40-38-118 Informing victim of Tennessee statewide automated victim information and notification services
§ 40-38-119 Rights of victim of a sexually-oriented crime
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code > Title 40 > Chapter 38 > Part 1 - Victims' Bill of Rights

  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Plea agreement: An arrangement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for special considerations. Source:
  • Presentence report: A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convicted of an offense, summarizing for the court the background information needed to determine the appropriate sentence. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.
  • Victim Impact Statement: A written or spoken statement by the victim or his or her representative about the physical, emotional, and financial impact of a crime on the victim. The statement is given to the court before sentencing.
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105