Legal Terms

Click the button for definitions of legal terms that may come up during the investigation, trial, or resolution of your case.

Missouri Crime Victims’ Rights

Missouri State law guarantees crime victims and witnesses certain notification rights and participation in the criminal justice system.

Key Rights for Crime Victims in Missouri:

• Presence at Court Proceedings: Victims have the right to attend criminal justice proceedings where the defendant has the same right.
• Information & Notification: Victims must be informed about case updates, hearings, and trial dates.
• Input on Sentencing & Parole: Victims can provide input on plea deals, sentencing, and probation revocation hearings.
• Protection from the Defendant: Victims have the right to reasonable protection from the accused.
• Restitution & Compensation: Victims may receive financial assistance for medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs.
• Notification of Defendant’s Status: Victims must be informed of the release, escape, or death of the accused while in custody.
• Victims of dangerous felonies, murder, domestic assault, and sexual offenses are automatically granted these rights, while victims of other crimes must submit a written request to receive them.

Links to key documents:

• The Missouri Court Process
• Mo. Crime Victims’ Rights Publication
• Mo Crime Victim’s Rights and Resources
• Mo Constitution Article 1 – Section 32
• Section 595.209 of the Missouri Revised Statutes – The right to written notifications.
• Mo Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Victim Services
• Understanding the Mo Department of Corrections Probation and Parole

Kansas Crime Victims’ Rights

Kansas provides crime victims with specific rights and protections under the Kansas Crime Victims Bill of Rights (K.S.A. 74-7333). These rights ensure that victims are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness throughout the criminal justice process.

Key Rights for Crime Victims in Kansas:

• Respect & Privacy: Victims should be treated with courtesy and compassion and experience minimal inconvenience in the justice system.
• Information & Notification: Victims have the right to be informed about criminal restitution, compensation funds, and case updates.
• Participation in Proceedings: Victims can provide input on sentencing, plea deals, and parole hearings.
• Safety & Protection: Measures may be taken to protect victims and their families from intimidation or retaliation.
• Access to Support Services: Victims should be informed about health, social services, and counseling available to them.

Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation

The Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation Program provides financial assistance to victims who have suffered traumatic injuries due to violent crimes. It helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, mental health counseling, and funeral costs for victims and their families.

Key Benefits:

• Medical Costs: Covers hospital bills, therapy, and necessary treatments.
• Lost Wages: Provides compensation for income lost due to injury.
• Mental Health Support: Helps victims access counseling services.
• Funeral Expenses: Assists families with burial or cremation costs.
• Forensic Examination Coverage: Covers costs for forensic exams in sexual assault and child abuse cases.

The program is a payor of last resort, meaning it only provides financial aid when other sources (like insurance) are unavailable. Victims must report the crime to law enforcement and apply within two years of the incident.

Click the button to apply

Kansas Crime Victims’ Compensation

The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board provides financial assistance to victims who have suffered injuries or losses due to violent crimes. This program helps cover medical expenses, mental health counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for victims and their families.

Key Benefits:

• Medical Costs: Covers hospital bills, therapy, and necessary treatments.
• Lost Wages: Provides compensation for income lost due to injury.
• Mental Health Support: Helps victims access counseling services.
• Funeral Expenses: Assists families with burial or cremation costs.
• Crime Scene Clean-Up: Covers costs for cleaning services after a violent crime.
• Clothing & Bedding Replacement: Reimburses victims for items seized as evidence.

The program is a payor of last resort, meaning it only provides financial aid when other sources (like insurance) are unavailable. Victims must report the crime to law enforcement and apply within two years of the incident.

The program is administered by the Crime Victims Compensation Division of the Attorney General’s Office, which can be contacted by calling (785) 296-2359.

Click the button to apply

The Missouri Sunshine Law

The Missouri Sunshine Law is designed to ensure transparency in government by granting the public access to government records and meetings. It is outlined in Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and applies to public governmental bodies, including state agencies, local governments, and school boards.

Features:

• Open Meetings & Records: Government meetings and records should be open to the public, unless a specific exemption applies.
• Notice Requirements: Public bodies must provide at least 24 hours’ notice before holding a meeting.
• Custodian of Records: Each public body must have a designated official responsible for handling records requests.
• Response Time: Agencies must respond to records requests within three business days.
• Recording Public Meetings: Citizens are allowed to audio or video record public meetings.
• Fees & Costs: Agencies can charge reasonable fees for copying and research, but must use the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request.
• There are exceptions where records or meetings may be closed, such as legal proceedings, personnel matters, and security-related discussions.

Click the button for more information about the Missouri Sunshine Law

Kansas Open Records Act (KORA)

Grants the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of government records.

Features:

• Applies to state and local agencies, including schools, law enforcement, and city governments.
• Agencies must respond to records requests within three business days.
• Some records are exempt, such as medical records, personnel files, and criminal investigation reports.

Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA)

Requires government meetings to be open to the public.

Features:

• Public bodies must provide advance notice of meetings.
• Allows recording of meetings, unless restricted by law.
• Some meetings may be closed, such as those discussing legal matters or personnel issues.

Click the button for more information on either program.

Missouri Case Net

Missouri Case.net is the state’s online case management system that allows users to search for court records, docket entries, judgments, and charges in public cases. It provides access to cases from courts that have implemented the Missouri Court Automation Program.

Features:

• Case Search: You can look up cases by litigant name, case number, or filing date.
• Docket Entries: View the history of a case, including scheduled hearings and filed documents.
• Judgments & Charges: Find details on case outcomes and any associated penalties.
• Remote Public Access: Court documents filed before July 1, 2023, can only be viewed at public access terminals in local courthouses.

Click the Button to go to Mo. Case Net

Kansas eCourt

Kansas has an online case management system called Kansas eCourt, which provides access to district court records through a public portal. You can search for case information, court records, and hearing dates using the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal.

Features:

• Public Access Portal: Allows users to search for district court cases statewide.
• Courthouse Terminals: If a record isn’t available online, you can access it at a public computer terminal in the courthouse.
• Restricted Records: Some records, like adoption cases, juvenile records, and expunged criminal records, are not publicly accessible.

Click the Button to go to the Kansas Court

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