Crime Victim Notification

Crime Victims Notification

Crime Victims Notification If you are the victim of a crime, you have the right to know what's happening with your case and the offender. Your Rights as a Victim If you've been the victim of a violent crime, you deserve to know what's happening with your case and the offender. You have legal rights to stay informed about the offender's conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release. Learn more about victims' rights in Texas. How Texas Integrated Victim Services System for Counties (IVSS-Counties) Can Help You Stay Informed Texas IVSS-Counties is a free, secure service that automatically notifies registered persons via a toll-free number and website of suspect/offender status and court event changes. Here's how it can help: 24/7 Notifications: Texas IVSS-Counties sends automatic notifications in English or Spanish whenever one of the following situations occurs: The suspect/offender is booked or released A court event has been set or changed A change in custody status, such as death, escape, or transferred to TDCJ custody Access to Case Information: You can get information about the offender's criminal case. Visit the Texas IVSS-Counties portal anytime to search for offenders in custody, access services, or receive general guidance without registering. Secure & Confidential: Your information is kept private while you receive notifications. Flexible Notifications: Choose how and when you want to be contacted (text, call, or email), and set blackout dates or preferred hours. One-Time Registration: Stay notified about custody changes without having to register multiple times. Manage Your Preferences Anytime: Pause notifications, update your contact information, or view your history whenever you choose. How to Contact Texas IVSS-Counties You can reach out to Texas IVSS-Counties in a variety of ways to get the support you need: Online: Visit the Texas IVSS-Counties portal to search for offenders, register, or find victim services in your area. Phone Support (24/7): Call (866)268-8959 for help in English or Spanish. You can talk to a live operator for assistance with offender information, registering for updates, or finding victim services. TDCJ Victim Services: If the offender is in the custody of the TDCJ, you can contact their Victim Services Division at (800) 848-4294 for additional support. Important to Remember While Texas IVSS-Counties is a valuable tool to help you stay informed, it is not a guarantee of safety. It's important to always take additional steps to protect yourself, and to reach out to local crime victim service providers at your district attorney's office, law enforcement agency, or supervising agency for further support. Not all Texas counties are set up with Texas IVSS-Counties. Check the Texas IVSS-Counties portal to see if your county participates.