Attorney General's News Release

July 10, 2006

Crime victims can now make online requests to be notified on status of appeals with Attorney General's Office

Jefferson City, Mo. — Crime victims in Missouri who want to be notified as their cases go through the appeals process can now submit a request form online with the Attorney General's Office. Attorney General Jay Nixon says the new online form supplements an existing paper form and will make it easier for crime victims to find out information about cases in which they have an interest.

“It is vitally important to keep crime victims and their families informed of developments in their cases,” Nixon said. “Having this form online will enable the attorneys and crime victim advocates in my office to better serve those who have suffered from crime. It's another way to make government more efficient and more effective.”

The new online form is available at www.ago.mo.gov and can be filled in and submitted online. Crime victims who prefer to submit a paper form through the mail can download a form off the same site. The same form also is available in a free publication from Nixon's office, “Crime Victims' Rights.”

Under Missouri law, the Attorney General provides information about cases in the appeals courts to victims if they request to be notified. The same law requires other state and local agencies to provide notification to crime victims, upon their request, about developments in other stages of the court process. Those agencies include local law enforcement agencies, county prosecuting attorneys, juvenile authorities, the Missouri Department of Corrections, county and city jailers, and the Board of Probation and Parole.

A listing of the agencies and their notification responsibilities also can be found in “Crime Victims' Rights.” The publication can be found online at www.ago.mo.gov or can be ordered through the Attorney General's Office by calling 1-800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818