The links below will take you to new pages/windows, some of which are outside the University of Houston System and represent materials and information from other agencies.
Criminal Justice Resources
The University of Houston Police Department can be reached 24/7 at 361-570-HELP (4357). Always dial 911 in an emergency.
Survivor Rights in the Criminal Justice Process
Off-Campus Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Survivor Rights in the Criminal Justice Process
The list below of survivor rights is non-exhaustive. Generally, Texas has codified the following rights for Survivors of crime:
When a Survivor cooperates with law enforcement, the right to have adequate protection from harm and threats. For more information, see Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 56A.051(1).
A survivor of certain crimes can file a Pseudonym Form with the local law enforcement agency to protect that person's identity in public records. To find forms for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking or family violence, see the Attorney General of Texas Forms and Publications. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 58.102(a) "A victim may choose a pseudonym to be used instead of the victim's name to designate the victim in all public files and records concerning the offense, including police summary reports, press releases, and records of judicial proceedings."
The right to have safety considered as part of bail decisions. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(2).
The right to request notices from the state's attorney and appellate court on court proceedings. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(3).
The right to request information about the criminal justice process from a peace officer or district attorney's office. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(4).
The right to provide information to the probation office prior to sentencing. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(5).
The right to request information about crime victim's compensation. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(6).
The right to request to be informed about the parole process. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(7).
The right to a separate and secure waiting area during court proceedings. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(8).
The right to the return of property when no longer needed as evidence. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(9).
The right to request a work excuse for good cause from the state’s attorney for court proceedings. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(10).
The right to request mediation through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(11).
The right to receive information about and submit a victim impact statement. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(12).
The right for minor victims of sexual assault or family violence to have the Court state a reason for delaying court proceedings. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(13).
To right to receive information about victim outreach rules and options in capital cases. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(14).
The right with the judge's approval to be present at all court proceedings. For more information, see Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(b).
The right to receive notice of a plea bargain agreement as much as practical before a court hearing. Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56A.051(a)(12).
The right to timely apply for crime victim's compensation through the Attorney General's Office. See generally Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56B.051.
The right to apply for address confidentiality through the Attorney General's Office. See generally Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 58.052.
Additional rights for Survivors of sexual assault or abuse, stalking or trafficking: Texas Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 56.021
The right to be informed of collected evidence and forensic analysis in pending cases (includes DNA comparisons) unless disclosure would interfere with investigation or prosecution. For more information, see (a).
The right to receive HIV counseling and testing.
The right to receive a forensic medical exam within 120 hours of the assault at Texas hospitals.
The right to designate another person to receive their criminal justice notices.
The right to have information regarding protective orders and for the state's attorney to file the request in court.
After a conviction or probation placement, the right to have information regarding a protective order and immediately file if the Court has jurisdiction.
The right to have a trained Advocate present during a forensic medical exam as available.
The right to receive a forensic medical exam and not be required to participate in a law enforcement investigation as a condition of the exam.
The right not to have to pay for the forensic sections of the medical exam or the evidence collection kit. Note that these sections do not affect responsibility for treatment costs of injuries or other medical interventions.
Legal Notices or Resources
For a more detailed list of resources, see our Off-Campus Resources section.
The Attorney General of Texas Crime Victims Services maintains information about protective orders and administers crime victims' compensation to cover eligible medical, counseling and other costs.
Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services and education related to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking including support for those seeking protective orders.
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income people with practice areas such as domestic and family law, housing law and victim rights.
Texas Department of Public Safety provides a public statewide Sex Offender Registry.
The US Department of Justice provides the National Sex Offender Public Registry (Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website).
Off-Campus Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Texas Department of Public Safety
Victoria Police Department
306 S. Bridge Street, Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 485-3700
(361) 573-3221 (Non-Emergency/Dispatch)
Victoria County Sheriff's Office
101 N Glass St, Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 575-0651 (Non-emergency)
Katy Police Department
5456 Franz Road, Katy, TX 77493
(281) 391-4848 (Non-emergency)
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office
1410 Williams Way Blvd. Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4665 (Non-emergency)
Houston Police Department
901 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 837-0311 or 311 (City Switchboard)
Harris County Sheriff's Office
1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-6000 (Non-emergency)